{"product_id":"vintage-qala-i-nau-kilim-rug-2-21x1-23m","title":"Vintage Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a good quality Afghan vintage Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug with an interesting weave. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colours of this vintage Afghan Kilim are really appealing and incredible practical. It features a combination of earthy browns, charcoals, orange, navy blue and cream. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design of this Kilim rug is distinctive with horizontal bands of patterns interspersed by bands of plain weave. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere is this Vintage Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug from?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug is from Afghanistan. Qala-i-Nau is a town located in north west Afghanistan, between Herat and Maimana. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQala-i-Nau rugs were woven by Sunni Muslims from the Chahar Aimaq tribe and their rugs are fine and ornately patterned, usually characterised by narrow bands of colour and design. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow was this Afghan Kilim rug made?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Kilim rug was handwoven entirely from Karaqul wool. This means that the warps are made from wool, and so are the wefts. Because this rug is a Kilim it is flat woven, therefore it does not have any pile. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypically Qala-i-Nau rugs are woven on narrow flat ground looms. The woollen warps are the first yarns to be secured to the loom. These threads run the whole length of the rug, and is what the weft threads are woven onto. It is the wefts which make the colours and patterns of a Kilim rug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rug is really interesting because when you look closely at it, you can see numerous different weaving techniques. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plain bands of colour are created by weft-faced or tapestry weave, the weaver will beat the weft threads closely together so that the underlying warps are invisible. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe can also see \"slit weave\" techniques in this rug too. When we look at image 4, we can see that where the orange and navy blue colours meet there is a small gap or slit. So we can tell that the navy colour block is started from a separate warp thread. This method creates excellent, clear definition to the pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso evident in this Kilim rug is \"weft-faced\" patterning. Qala-i-Nau rugs are especially known for this intricate technique. With this method, the wefts are only visible when needed for a key part of forming the pattern; when not forming the pattern these wefts threads remain on the underside of the rug. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere can I use this handmade Afghan rug?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 7x4 Afghan rug is a useful size that can be placed almost anywhere in your home. Don't be fooled into thinking that because it is a old\/vintage rug that it is not hard wearing. On the contrary, it is tightly woven and made from durable Karaqul sheep wool so this rug will provide you with many years (probably decades) of pleasure. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou might find it a good idea to pop an anti-slip rug underlay beneath it. A rug underlay will help prevent any slips or trips by keeping the Kilim firmly anchored in position. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey details: \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCountry of origin: Afghanistan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 221x123cm \/ 7'3\"x4'1\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThickness: 4mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarp: Wool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeft: Wool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAge: Approx. 30-40 years old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58081526546763,"sku":"TORM-1186-VINTAGE QALA-I-NAU KILIM RUG-221 X 123CM","price":350.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1070\/3113\/4539\/files\/vint-qala-i-nau-2.21x1.23m-MAIN.jpg?v=1786282917","url":"https:\/\/theorientalrugmerchant.co.uk\/products\/vintage-qala-i-nau-kilim-rug-2-21x1-23m","provider":"The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}