Violet Gabbeh Runner
This violet Gabbeh runner was hand knotted in Afghanistan in wool and measures 306 x 82 cm, a long runner of about 2.5 square metres. Its field is made of horizontal bands in blue, cream, red and violet, each holding a row of small motifs. Our records note vegetable dyes, and the mix of colours gives the runner a multicolour, patchwork look.
The design up close
Most of this violet Gabbeh runner is blue, with cream and red bands running across it. The blue bands are the calmest, with small cross and star motifs set in rows. The cream bands carry rows of tiny blue and red shapes, and the red bands are the boldest, filled with stylised plants, diamonds and small squares in cream, blue and dark tones.
Violet shows at the outer edges. A purple border runs the length of the runner, edged by thin blue guard lines and a band of small square panels holding figures in red and blue. The ends finish with a row of panels and a fringe, so the runner looks neat at both short ends.
Where the Gabbeh style comes from
Gabbeh rugs come from the tribes of the Zagros mountains in Iran, who wove thick, simple rugs mainly for their own households. They are known for a thick, soft pile, open fields of colour and simple motifs, sometimes small figures or animals. Weavers in Afghanistan now make Gabbeh rugs in the same spirit, and Afghanistan has a long weaving tradition behind them.
How a violet Gabbeh runner is made
Afghan rugs are hand knotted on a loom, one knot at a time, and this runner was made the same way. Turn it over and the design shows on the back, with small irregularities that only hand knotting leaves. Thick wool gives the runner a soft pile that hides everyday wear, which suits a runner that gets daily use. Afghan rugs are a good choice for family rooms, entrances, hallways and dining rooms, and a runner is a practical choice for a busy corridor.
Sizing it for your hallway
At 306 x 82 cm the runner is about 3.1 m long and 82 cm wide. For a hallway, a width of about 102 to 122 cm suits it, leaving roughly 10 to 20 cm of floor on each side. This violet Gabbeh runner suits a long corridor, a hallway that leads to bedrooms, or the approach to a dining room. It also suits a kitchen galley, where its length runs along the floor between two benches.
Looking after your runner
Vacuum it on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off, so the brush does not pull at the knots. Turn this violet Gabbeh runner around every six to twelve months so foot traffic wears 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 this violet Gabbeh runner. It stops a runner sliding on timber or tiles, adds cushioning and takes some of the wear off the pile. Moths like wool in dark, quiet spots, so vacuum under furniture often and lift it 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 violet Gabbeh runner in person. Walk its length in the showroom to see how the bands repeat from one end to the other. If you would rather judge it in your own hallway, with your own light and furniture, book a home trial and we will bring a selection to you.
You can see this violet gabbeh runner in our showroom or at home. Browse more Gabbeh Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Gabbeh rugs.
