Sarqandahar Suzani Rug
This Sarqandahar Suzani rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan from lamb wool and measures 361 x 264 cm. A rust red field is laid out in rows of octagonal medallions, each filled with small star motifs in blue grey, cream, gold and red. A wide border of triangles, diamonds and small blocks frames the field.
The design up close
The field holds nine rows of five octagonal medallions. Each one has a band of cream or gold around its edge and a star-shaped motif at its centre, in blue grey, red and cream. Between the octagons, small four-pointed stars and diamonds in gold, cream and blue sit on the rust ground, so the field looks like a regular grid.
The border is wide and busy, with triangles, diamonds and small blocks in red, cream, blue and gold. Narrow stripes separate the border from the field, and the outer edge repeats a band of small stepped motifs. The rust ground runs through both the field and this Sarqandahar Suzani rug’s border, which ties the whole piece together.
Suzani rugs and their origin
Suzani rugs borrow their designs from the embroidered textiles of Central Asia. Suzanis are embroidered textiles from the region around Bukhara and Samarkand in today’s Uzbekistan, traditionally made by women as part of a bride’s dowry. Their large rosettes, sun-like discs and flowering vines translate well into a knotted rug, and this Sarqandahar Suzani rug takes a more structured route, with octagons and stars in place of the large flowers of the originals.
How it is made
This Sarqandahar Suzani rug is hand knotted in Afghanistan from lamb wool, with each knot tied by hand on a loom. Unlike the embroidered originals, it is knotted in wool, so it is made to be walked on. Turn it over and the medallions show on the back, with small irregularities that come from hand tying.
Sizing this Sarqandahar Suzani rug for your room
At 361 x 264 cm this sarqandahar suzani rug covers about 9.5 square metres, enough for a large living room with a full sitting group. A three-seat sofa of around 2.2 m leaves about 70 cm of rug showing past each end. Under a dining table of about 240 x 100 cm it leaves roughly 60 cm at each end and 82 cm along each side, enough room for chairs to slide back.
The rust ground sits well with cream, timber and warm neutral furniture, and the blue grey and gold motifs repeat those tones.
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 Sarqandahar Suzani 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 Suzani Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about suzani textiles.
