Red Abshari Rug
This red Abshari rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan from wool and measures 252 x 176 cm. Its red field is filled with staggered cross-shaped medallions outlined in blue, and the rug covers about 4.4 square metres.
The design of this red Abshari rug up close
The medallions sit in staggered columns across the field. Each one is a cross shape with a blue outline and a dark centre, and some of the arms carry small yellow and green patches. The crosses stand out most clearly where those patches sit at the arms. The crosses are spaced evenly, so the field looks orderly from either end. Between the medallions, small red squares and blue dots fill the ground.
The border is red and blue, with a band of small blue-outlined motifs and a narrow red outer edge. Fringe finishes the top and bottom ends. Across this red Abshari rug, the blue outlines give each cross its shape against the red, so the pattern stays clear from edge to edge.
Afghanistan and its weaving
Afghanistan has a long weaving tradition, and Afghan rugs are hand knotted on a loom, one knot at a time. A room-size rug can take a small team of weavers many months. Their thick wool and patterned fields hide everyday wear, so Afghan rugs suit family rooms, entrances, hallways and dining rooms. Afghan rugs often carry bold geometric designs, and the crosses in this rug are a clear example. Our Afghan collection ranges from bold tribal designs to calm, contemporary pieces.
How this red Abshari rug is made
This red Abshari rug is hand knotted from wool. Our records note double hand knotting and vegetable dyes. Red rugs hide dust and everyday wear well, so this one suits a busy family room. At 4.4 square metres, it is a substantial piece for a living room.
Sizing it for your room
At 252 x 176 cm, this red Abshari rug is about 2.5 m long, which suits a lounge with a coffee table. The front legs of a sofa and two armchairs can rest on it around the table. Set the coffee table so the medallions run along the length of the seating. Its red ground stands out against light walls and timber floors.
Under a dining table of about 180 x 90 cm, it leaves roughly 36 cm of rug at each end and about 43 cm along each side. The red ground sits well with timber floors and pale walls.
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 red Abshari 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.
