Burnt Orange Abshar Runner
This burnt orange Abshar runner was hand knotted in Afghanistan in soft handspun lamb’s wool and measures 389 x 78 cm. A rust-orange field carries a column of blue and orange medallions down its length, inside a deep blue border. Our records note German dyes.
The design up close
Medallions stack down the centre of the field, one above another. Each is an octagon outlined in blue, with a pale inner band and a small diamond at its centre in blue or orange. Small cream and pale blue motifs fill the ground between them.
Seen from one end, the column of medallions forms a straight line down the middle, and the cream and pale blue motifs between them keep the field from looking heavy.
A pale guard stripe separates the field from the border. The outer border is a deep blue band with rows of small cream and orange flowers. The rust field is the warmest part of this burnt orange Abshar runner, while the blue outlines and border cool it.
The field is a warm, mottled rust, with lighter and darker patches across its length. The blue outlines and border of this burnt orange runner give it cool tones as well, so both warm and cool colours carry through.
Afghan weaving tradition
Afghanistan has a long weaving tradition, and some rugs made there today use hand-spun wool and natural dyes, which give them soft, lively colour. Afghan rugs more often carry bold geometric and tribal designs and a heavier, more relaxed feel. This burnt orange Abshar runner is a tribal-style piece from the same tradition. Their thick wool and patterned fields hide everyday wear, so this runner suits family rooms, entrances and hallways.
How it is made
Weavers tie every knot of this burnt orange Abshar runner by hand on a loom, one at a time. The pile is double knotted, and the long, narrow format lets the column of medallions repeat evenly from one end to the other.
Where this burnt orange Abshar runner suits
At 389 x 78 cm this burnt orange Abshar runner covers about 3.0 square metres. Its long, narrow shape suits a hallway, a kitchen galley or the floor beside a bed. A hallway of roughly 100 to 120 cm wide suits it, leaving about 10 to 20 cm of floor showing on each side.
The rust field and blue border suit timber floors and cream or blue furnishings, and a runner like this adds warmth to a plain galley.
Looking after your rug
Vacuum it on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off, so the brush does not pull at the knots. Turn it around every six to twelve months so sun and foot traffic wear it evenly. Blot spills with a clean white cloth and cold water rather than rubbing them in. When it needs a full clean, choose a cleaner who washes handmade rugs by hand.
Put a good underlay beneath it. It stops the rug sliding on timber or tiles, adds cushioning and takes some of the wear off the pile. Moths like wool in dark, quiet spots, such as the part of a rug under a sofa, so vacuum those areas often and lift the furniture now and then.
See it before you buy
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 11 am to 4:30 pm, to see this burnt orange Abshar runner in person. If you would rather judge it in your own room, with your own light and furniture, book an in-home viewing and we will bring a selection to you.
Browse more Afghan Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Afghan rugs.
