What is a baluch rug?

Baluch rugs (also called Balouch rug or Baluchi rug) are a testament to the heritage of the nomadic tribes living on the borders of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. These luxurious carpets are renowned for their geometric designs, classic natural colors, and excellent materials. Welcome to the fascinating world of Baluch rugs. If you are also interested in buying Baluch rugs, it is better to get acquainted with their features.

History of Baluch rug

Historians’ research and Achaemenid engravings show that the Baluch people have their roots in BC. The Aryans lived in Central Asia in ancient times. They later migrated to Balkh due to population growth and climate changes. They settled in the eastern and northeastern regions of Iran.

It is said that the Baloch people separated from the Aryan people and came from the north to the south. Due to the great similarity of the Baluch people to the Aryans, there is no doubt that they are Aryans. Considering that many of the characteristics of the Baluch people are the same as the Aryans, there is no doubt that they are Aryans.

During the reign of Nader Shah Afshar, a group of the Baloch people were moved to the northeastern borders of Iran to confront the Uzbeks and Turkmen. They settled in the borders of Northern Khorasan and engaged in carpet weaving and agriculture. The skill of the Baloch people was so great that they also transferred the weaving technique to the indigenous people of that region.

Where are Baluchi rugs made?

The Baluch handmade carpet is woven by the Baluch tribes. These tribes live near the mountains of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Most of the Baluch people of Iran live in Khorasan and the cities of Torbat-Jam, Kashmar, and Sarakhs. A group of Baluch people also live in and around Zabul, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province. The Baluch wool rug is very similar to the carpets of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

What are the specifications of Baluch carpet?

Baluch carpets are usually woven in small sizes. The smallest Baluch woolen rugs are usually 80 x 120 cm in size, and larger rugs are 100 x 150 cm and 110 x 200 cm in size. Runner weaving is common among Baluch nomads.

Persian Baluch carpets are usually woven on horizontal looms. The warp and weft of Iranian Baluch rugs were previously made of sheep wool, but today they are made of cotton. The oldest Baluch rugs were woven with the double-weft technique and Persian knots. However, today these rugs are woven with the single-weft (thin) technique. The knot used in Baluch rugs is the asymmetrical knot or Persian knot.

The colors of Persian Baluch rugs are often dark, such as dark red, dark blue, and brown. The selvage is wrapped with goat hair and is mostly black or dark brown. The number of knots in these carpets reaches 25-40 knots per 7 cm. Tassels, shells, and other objects are used to decorate the selvages and roots of the rug. Baluch hand-knotted rugs are also light in weight and relatively low in price.

                                          Baloch carpet gallery in Egypt

Designs of Baluch rug

• Prayer(Mihrabi) design:

The best prayer rugs are mostly woven in the Khaf region(Khorasan province). Persian Baluch Prayer rugs have a design like an altar or the so-called gate of heaven. Among the main parts of a prayer design, we can mention the altar, the lachaks above the altar, and the borders.

         Antique Baluch Prayer rug, 1880s

• Interconnected design:

Baluch designs are mostly influenced by Turkmen and Caucasian designs and are mostly woven in the form of geometrical shapes such as rhombus, hexagon and octagon and do not follow revolving lines. In this design, like the Bakhtiari rug, there are a number of frames of the same size that form the general design of the rug.

       Vintage Baluch rug, Interconnected design

• Medallion designs:

This design has hook-shaped medallions. For the inside of the medallion, similar geometric shapes are used.

                  Baluchi rug,1960s, 3’9*7’7

• Bird design:

Bird is used as a symbol in many Baluch Persian carpets. These designs either have simple birds motifs or designs similar to real birds.

The rest of the designs of Baluch hand-woven carpets are: Tree of life, Muhramat, Afshan, animals, etc.

                                Baluch rug, bird design

How to care for Baluch carpets?

• Baluch hand-woven rugs are woven with high-quality wool, so they are very durable. These rugs are resistant to water and stains, but like other rugs, if liquids are spilled on the rug, do not rub the area and try to remove the excess liquid quickly with a spoon, then clean the affected area with a sponge. You can also use household detergents to remove stains, although our advice is to leave this work to experts.
• Baluch Persian rugs are often dyed with natural colors or high-quality chemical dyes, and they retain their color for years, but if they are exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, they become lighter. It is better to prevent this issue from your windows Install curtains or move the rug in different seasons.
• Like other woolen hand-woven rugs, avoid placing this carpet in dark and humid areas, and if you store it, place it in a place where fresh air flows.
• Vacuum these rugs every week so that dust does not remain on the rug. If there is dust for a long time, the rug will be moth-eaten. If you take proper care of this rug, it will be useful for you for many years.

What is a Baluch rug worth?

Carpet weaving is a difficult task that requires a lot of skill and effort. The weaving of these rugs takes months and sometimes years. Baluch rugs are woven by 4 or 5 skilled weavers, and weaving a Baluch rug usually takes 10 months. Baluch handmade carpets always add a sense of grandeur and beauty to the space and create peace and warmth in any space they are placed in.

The price of a Baluch carpet depends on the size and quality of its weave. The design and age of the rug are also other factors that affect the price of a Baluch rug. If you are planning to buy a Baluch carpet, you can contact the experts of the Vernacarpets online collection. Also, if you have experience or opinions about using Baluch carpets, please share them with us.

               Antique Baluch rug