Mashwani design rug, western Afghanistan
Object No. A8358
This wool and animal hair pile rug features a 'latchhook' medallion design known as 'Mashwani' and was most probably woven by an Aimaq woman. Aimaq women are said to be amongst the most versatile textile artists in Central Asia. The rug is representative of a group that were previously attributed to the Baluch, who also use the Mashwani design in their rugs. Significantly however the pile is symmetrically knotted, which is typical of rugs made by the Aimaq but rare for those of the Baluch, who usually use asymmetrically knots. Another distinguishing feature is a palette of more pastel tones than those generally found in Baluchi rugs, with its range of light to mid-blues, brown, dark blue, khaki, orange and rust. The Aimaqs inhabit the western end of the central mountains of Afghanistan and an area around and between Herat and the Iranian border. They are ethnically distinct from their neighbours the Baluch although, as speakers of Dari dialects, their language also has its roots in Persian. The Aimaqs are thought to be of Turkic-Mongol origin and are Sunni Muslims. They live in yurts typical of Central Asia, rather than the black tents of the Baluch. There are twenty Aimaq groups; the largest of these is the Char Aimaq (chahar = four), an administrative grouping of four semi-nomadic tribes - the Jamshidi, the Taimani, the Firuzkuhi and the Aimaq-Hazara. The first three of these are particularly well known for their skilled weaving. Pamela Leuzinger, Research Assistant, Design & Society, February 2011 Christina Sumner. Principal Curator, Design and Society, March 2012
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Summary
Object Statement
Rug, Mashwani design, wool/animal hair, made by Aimaq women, western Afghanistan, c.1900
Physical Description
This is a rectantular floor rug of Mashwani design with wool warp and weft. The main field is composed of three large 'latchhook' medallions or diamonds, each with a central gul, in brown, mid-blue, dark blue, khaki, orange and rust. The guard stripes are a single row of reciprocal latchhooks in brown and mid blue. Typically for Mashwani rugs, rather than a meandering vine design, the main border is composed of a geometric pattern using Turkic eight-point star and gul motifs in white, khaki, rust, brown, mid blue and dark blue. The main materials are wool and animal hair, in this case probably goat hair; these materials are also commonly found in Baluchi rugs. The long side edges are reinforced by overcasting with black animal hair, while each end is finished with 145 mm of weft face plain weave in stripes of khaki, brown, blue and white. Some remnants of overcasting in black and white can be seen along the ends and the natural white warps are cut to create a short fringe.
DIMENSIONS
Width
990 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The design of the rug, with its pervasive latch-hook medallions and eight-pointed stars, reflects Turkic traditions and links it to Central Asian patterns. The central motif of the medallions is reminiscent of Kyrgyz repeat designs and the border is very Turkic. This symmetrically knotted woollen pile rug has been attributed to the women of the Aimaq, a semi-nomadic people. The dyes are primarily organic, with very small amounts of synthetic orange. Iron mordant has been used in the brown field colour as evidenced by some corrosion caused by the corrosive properties of iron.
HISTORY
Notes
The rug was purchased for the Powerhouse Museum in 1982 from Ross and Irene Langlands of Nomadic Rug Traders, Sydney.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1982
Acquisition Date
3 August 1982
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