Green Gabbeh Afghan Rug
This green Gabbeh Afghan rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan in wool and measures 234 x 168 cm, which is about 3.9 square metres. Horizontal bands of sage, teal, grey, cream and beige run from end to end, and each band holds its own row of small motifs, so the rug reads as a set of patterned stripes.
The design up close
The green Gabbeh Afghan rug is built from horizontal bands, each a different colour: deep teal, dark navy, sage, grey, cream and warm beige. Some bands hold a row of blue and cream checks, others a line of small animals in cream and dark tones, and others a run of stylised plants in green. The motifs are small and evenly spaced, so the pattern reads as texture from across the room. The bands run straight across the rug, so any part of it reads as a complete piece of the pattern.
A pale sage border frames the field. Along each side it repeats little animals, trees and figures in dark green and blue, and the top and bottom ends carry a row of square panels with animals, rosettes and small flowers. Those end panels give the rug a clear finish at each end.
Gabbeh rugs from Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a long weaving tradition, and the rugs made there today range from bold tribal designs to calm, contemporary pieces. Gabbeh rugs come from a nomadic weaving tradition: a thick, soft pile, open fields of colour and simple motifs, sometimes small figures or animals. Afghan Gabbeh rugs keep that spirit, and this piece follows its simple, open layout.
How a green Gabbeh Afghan rug is made
Afghan rugs are hand knotted on a loom, one knot at a time, and this rug was made the same way. Turn it over and the design shows on the back, with small irregularities that only hand knotting leaves. Thick wool hides everyday wear, which is why a rug like this suits family rooms and entrances. Each knot is tied separately on the loom, and the pile is trimmed level once the rows are complete.
Sizing it for your room
This 234 x 168 rug covers about 3.9 square metres. Its length suits a living room where the front legs of a sofa and two armchairs can rest on it around a coffee table. A green Gabbeh Afghan rug in this size suits timber floors and neutral walls, where its green and cream bands stand out. In a bedroom, it can sit beside the bed, where the bands bring colour underfoot.
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 this green Gabbeh Afghan rug 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 this green Gabbeh Afghan rug. 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 green Gabbeh Afghan 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.
You can see this green gabbeh afghan rug in our showroom or at home. Browse more Gabbeh Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Gabbeh rugs.
