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Chakhansur Rugs

Chakhansur is a town in southwestern Afghanistan near the Iranian border. It is the center of Chakhansur District of Nimruz Province. This area of Afghanistan was a major medieval cultural hub on the Silk Road but most ancient structures are now covered by sand. Nimruz Province lies to the east of the Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran and north of Balochistan of Pakistan, also bordering the Afghan provinces of Farah and Helmand. The Chakhansur district has nowadays a population of about 11,000, including Pashtun, Tajik, Baluch and Hazara ethnic groups. Rugs and tribal items woven in the area are mostly attributed to the Baluch. Some antique Baluchi pieces of Chakhansur are kept in the world’s museums. Rugs woven in Chakhansur are similar to those woven by the Iranian Baluch in Sistan and Baluchistan Province.

Technical aspects and the structure of Chakhansur Rugs

Antique Chakhansur rugs are mostly made of wool and animal hair (camel and goat). Baluchi rugs are double-wefted. Supplementary weft is used. Knots are mostly asymmetric (Persian). Rugs with symmetric (Turkish) knots could also be found. Rug and runner sizes are common. Most of Chakhansur antique pieces have kilim-ends.
An antique Chakhansur rug, circa 1900
An antique Chakhansur rug, circa 1900
Antique Baluch Chakhansur Long Rug. Late 19th Century. Afghanistan. Rows of madder and undyed dark brown wool 'ashik' tree devices radiate a diagonal pattern. Dragon type totems are entwined. Excellent condition considering age. Original four sides including chevron lilim skirts
Chakhansur rugs may be embroidered. These may have a thin and floppy feature, embellished with decorative objects like seashells and buttons. Various tribal items (such as bags, saddle-bags, salt-bags and table-clothes) are woven here as well as flat-woven pieces.

Dyeing and painting of Chakhansur Rugs

Chakhansur’s palette consisted of dark and light browns, camel, dark and light indigo blues, orange-reds, dark madder reds, black and white (or ivory) as well as dark purple and violet. Black and white are usually of undyed wool or goat hair. Camel is usually obtained from undyed camel hair, however Camel-colored wool is also possible.
An antique Chakhansur Sofreh (table-cloth)

Designs and patterns of Chakhansur Rugs

Chakhansur designs are geometric (rectilinear). All-over designs consists of tiny repeated patterns. Some designs are simply made of waves, zigzags and Greek keys. Some octagonal motifs, similar to Turkmen gul, are also used in the fields. A typical Chakhansur repeat consisted of a dented lozenge-like shape with a radiating tree. Both area rugs and runners could be found with such a design. Tree of life used for prayer rugs.
An antique Chakhansur runner with the typical design attributed to the town, circa 1900
Detail of an antique Chakhansur piece
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