Maimana Kilim Gallery Rug, Handwoven Wool, 8x16, Rose & Chocolate

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Description

A long handwoven Maimana kilim from northern Afghanistan in a warm rose ground, worked with chocolate brown, slate blue and … Read more A long handwoven Maimana kilim from northern Afghanistan in a warm rose ground, worked with chocolate brown, slate blue and ivory. Maimana, in Faryab province, is the flatweave heart of the country, and this is a gallery carpet — more than twice as long as it is wide.

The weave is flat and reversible, hand-spun wool on a natural wool warp, with no pile. The rose ground shifts gently in tone across the length from abrash, the natural variation between batches of hand-spun yarn.

The narrow central field carries an allover lattice of small diamonds in slate, brown and ivory, scattered with crosses on the rose ground. What makes the rug unusual is the borders: nine concentric bands frame that field, together occupying more of the carpet than the field itself — hooked figures, ivory eight-petal rosettes on chocolate, stepped keys, chequered guards and a sawtooth outer edge. At one end a narrow band of brighter multicoloured diamonds in orange, purple, green and magenta runs the full width.

The kilim is flat woven with no pile, so there is no pile wear. The weave is even across the field, the selvedges and end finishes are intact, and the fringe is original. Clean and odour free.

Measuring 93 by 195 inches, the gallery proportion suits a long hallway, a wide corridor, a gallery landing, or a long narrow living or dining room where a standard rectangle would leave awkward gaps at each end. The rose and chocolate palette is warm and confident, and works in bohemian, eclectic and traditional interiors. See less