Cream Tribal Khorjin Rug
This cream tribal Khorjin rug was double hand knotted by Afghan artisans in lamb’s wool and measures 259 x 176 cm. Its cream base carries bands of medallions in red, orange, gold, emerald green and brown.
The design up close
Horizontal bands of medallions run across the cream field. Each medallion has a brown outline and is filled with red, orange, gold or green. Between the bands, thin stripes of tiny motifs and rows of small figures keep the pattern light, so the cream ground still shows through.
The medallions vary a little from band to band. Across this cream tribal Khorjin rug, the repeated bands give a steady rhythm from one end to the other. Light falling across the pile changes how deep the cream looks, so the rug shifts a little through the day.
From saddlebag to rug
This style takes its name from the Khorjin, the woven saddlebag of the region. A Khorjin is a pair of woven bags joined together and carried over a horse or donkey, traditionally decorated with geometric patterns. The rug takes that geometric look and spreads it across the whole field.
Hand knotted tribal rugs of this kind carry their decoration from edge to edge, and this one does too.
How it is made
Hand knotted tribal rugs are made one knot at a time on a loom, and each knot is tied separately, so a repair can be made without disturbing the rest of the rug. This cream tribal Khorjin rug is double hand knotted, so each knot is wrapped around two warp threads.
This rug is hand knotted in Afghanistan. The design shows clearly on the back, with the small irregularities that come from tying each knot by hand. The wool is lamb’s wool, which gives the pile a soft feel underfoot.
Sizing your Cream Tribal Khorjin Rug
At 259 by 176 cm, the rug covers about 4.6 square metres. A three-seat sofa of about 2.2 m can sit with its front legs on the rug, and the 259 cm length gives it a generous base. In a dining room, the same length gives a table of about 180 x 90 cm room to spare at both ends. Before you decide, mark the rug’s outline on the floor with masking tape, and walk around it to see how it sits in the room.
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
Colours look different under shop lights, daylight and lamplight, so the showroom is the best place to judge the cream and gold tones.
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 11 am to 4:30 pm, to see this cream tribal Khorjin rug 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 Khorjin Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Afghan rugs.
