Harbour Grey Khorjin Rug
This harbour grey Khorjin rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan from handspun New Zealand wool and measures 259 x 176 cm, about 4.6 square metres. The ground is a soft, pale grey with a warm beige cast, and the pattern is worked in red, rust, gold, green and pale blue. Our records note vegetable dyes.
The harbour grey Khorjin rug up close
The design is built in horizontal bands. Near the top and bottom, a wide band of hexagonal medallions in red, gold, green and orange sets the strongest note, each one outlined darkly with a contrasting centre. Between these bands, the grey ground carries thin rows of small motifs, including flower heads, stepped crosses and dots, in rust, gold and green.
On this harbour grey Khorjin rug, a middle band of lozenge medallions in red, green and gold runs across the width, and the grey ground lets every colour show clearly. Fine stripes of cream and rust divide the bands, and a fringe finishes the short ends. The top and bottom bands carry the strongest colour, so the eye moves down the rug from one band to the next.
Khorjin, the saddlebag design
The name comes from the Khorjin, the woven saddlebag. A Khorjin is a pair of woven bags joined together and carried over a horse or donkey, traditionally decorated with geometric patterns. This rug carries that geometry in its bands of diamonds and hexagons. The categories place it in the transitional range, between modern and traditional design, and the pale ground leans toward the modern side.
How a hand knotted Afghan rug is made
Hand knotted in Afghanistan, the rug shows its design clearly on the back, with slight irregularities from tying each knot by hand. This harbour grey Khorjin rug uses handspun New Zealand wool, which gives the pile a soft feel underfoot. Thick, hard-wearing wool gives the surface a lively texture where the bright motifs sit.
Sizing it for your room
The harbour grey Khorjin rug covers about 4.6 square metres at 259 x 176 cm. The front legs of a sofa and two armchairs can rest on it around a coffee table, which makes it a good fit for a family room.
The grey ground suits timber floors and cream, grey or white walls, and the red and gold bands bring warmth to a room that would otherwise be quiet.Its 176 cm width suits a rug in front of a sofa, where the bands read from the seat.
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 harbour grey 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.
