Grey Derakhti Afghan Rug
This grey Derakhti Afghan rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan in lamb’s wool and measures 241 x 177 cm. The ground is a soft, warm grey, and the pattern is drawn in rust red, emerald green, ochre, bronze and navy. Because the grey stays quiet behind the colour, the trees stand out clearly across the room.
The design up close
Tall, pointed trees stand near both side edges and in the middle of this grey Derakhti Afghan rug. Each one is built up from stacked tiers of flowers, leaves and buds in red, green, gold and navy. Between them, branching trees with red trunks rise from the lower half of the field and spread into rounded crowns of small blossoms.
Small animal figures fill the spaces between the trees, set in loose rows and turned in different directions. At the bottom, a branching tree sits in the centre with a tall tree at each side, and the top of the rug repeats the arrangement. Short fringe finishes both ends.
Afghan weaving and this rug
Afghanistan has a long weaving tradition, and the rugs made there today range from bold tribal designs to calm, contemporary pieces. Afghan rugs more often carry geometric and tribal designs and a heavier, more relaxed feel than the curving floral designs found in other weaving regions. This rug combines tree and animal motifs in a pattern that is busy but orderly.
Thick wool and patterned fields hide everyday wear, so this grey Derakhti Afghan rug suits family rooms, entrances, hallways and dining rooms. The grey ground keeps a pattern this busy from feeling crowded.
How a grey Derakhti Afghan rug is made
Afghan rugs are hand knotted on a loom, one knot at a time. A rug with this much detail depends on that patience, since each tree and animal is formed from many small knots. Lamb’s wool gives the pile a soft hand, which suits a design full of fine lines.
Sizing it for your room
At 241 x 177 cm the rug covers about 4.3 square metres. Its 2.41 m length suits a seating group, because the front legs of a sofa and two armchairs can rest on it around a coffee table. With a dining table of about 180 x 90 cm, roughly 30.5 cm of rug shows past each end and 43.5 cm along each side, so the pattern stays in view around the whole table.
A grey Derakhti Afghan rug suits pale timber or tiled floors and neutral walls, where the red and green of the trees has room to stand out.
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 grey Derakhti 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.
Browse more Afghan Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Afghan rugs.
