Red Sarasar Beljik Rug
This red Sarasar beljik rug is hand knotted in Afghanistan from lamb’s wool. It measures 246 x 168 cm, or about 4.1 square metres. It follows a Sarasar design, and the field is a deep red with navy and dark blue figures, so the rug reads as strong and traditional in colour. It sits in our traditional range of Afghan rugs.
The design up close
Medallions in dark navy, each with a red centre, form a grid across the field of this red Sarasar beljik rug. Diamond-shaped figures link them, and small navy motifs fill the spaces between. The rows are regular, so the field reads as one continuous pattern rather than separate blocks.
A navy band with small geometric motifs frames the field, with a red band inside it and a narrow outer edge. The motifs in the border are smaller than the medallions in the field, which keeps the eye on the centre. The navy band and the red band sit next to each other, so the border reads as one frame around the field.
Afghan rugs and their designs
Afghan rugs are hand knotted on a loom, one knot at a time. They more often carry bold geometric and tribal designs and a heavier, more relaxed feel than rugs with curving floral patterns, and this red Sarasar beljik rug sits within that tradition. Their thick wool and patterned fields hide everyday wear, so these rugs suit family rooms, entrances and dining rooms.
Sizing this red Sarasar beljik rug in your room
At 246 x 168 cm the rug covers about 4.1 square metres. Its length is just under 2.5 m, so a sofa of around 2.2 m can rest its front legs on it, with two armchairs doing the same around a coffee table. In a dining room it suits a table of about 180 x 90 cm, leaving 33 cm of rug past each end and 39 cm along each side. A red Sarasar beljik rug this size suits a dining room with timber floors, and the deep red field works with pale walls and neutral furniture.
How it is made
This red Sarasar beljik rug is made of lamb’s wool, and our records note German dyes. Hand knotting builds each medallion and border motif one knot at a time, so the pattern is set into the rug by the weaver’s hand. The rows of medallions run straight across the rug, so the pattern is easy to follow from either end. The deep red ground makes the navy figures stand out clearly.
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 red Sarasar beljik 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.
