Hazara Afghanistan

 

Recent posts about Taimani and Baluch "sleeping" rugs have discussed the possible attributions of this unique and rare group of two piece rugs from Central to West Afghanistan and Eastern Persia. Taimani Aimaq, Baluch Long Bedding Rug, Baluch Two Piece Rug. Karl-Heinz Breuss contacted me and added the following and insightful comments.

"Hazaras: There are 2 different groups, the Shiite Hazaras of Central-Afghanistan, these people do not make piled carpets and have Mongolian faces, but these people make nice kilims, felts and good textiles. Your and my 2 pieces (see attached image) are more from the Sunite group of Hazaras, these people are in West Afghanistan, but also in East-Persia and even in South East Persia and produce carpets in the Baluch-Style, we count these Sunnite Hazaras to the Aimaq-Group. These Hazaras, the Firlouskohi and part of the Timuris have used Yurts and not the black goat-hair tents of the Baluchis. So I believe, that your # 1+2 (see attached image) are not real Baluchis, more Hazaras from Farah and Persia." Karl-Heinz Breuss

Primitive Rug Research

Seeking and answering questions about rug attributions is fraught with potential hazards even before the journey begins. Opinions can cloud research based on definitive evidence from  sources including photographs and ethnographic research.

When I first began researching primitive rugs Leigh Copeland offered the following. “To make a complete catalogue of the misinformation which the rug fraternity hand on from one to another would need ‘a painful man with his pen, and as much patience as he who wrote the Lives and Deaths of the Martyrs.’” H. G. Dwight. Persian Miniatures. 1912.

Recently James Allen posted a quote on facebook from Max Planck "A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents 
and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents 
eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it."

Recent discussions on the facebook pages of Primitive Rug have highlighted the diverse opinions end experiences of readers and contributors to the discussion. With this in mind the aims, goals and objectives of Primitive Rug become obvious. A place to discuss and share the most recent thoughts and research on the topic of Primitive Rugs. The joy is in the journey. The answers will never be absolute.

As a segue to the next post here's an image of a VERY unique rug from James Blackmon. This rug is early (probably late 19th Century) compared to known examples, and smaller, woven in one piece other rugs of this type are two pieces stitched together.