Mushwani 189cm x 147cm / 6’2” x 4’10”

Mushwani are made by Nomadic Tribes people from the outskirts of Herat, Farah and Badghis, Western Afghanistan. These pieces are woven in their tents and transported from location to location as the tribes move their families and livestock to better pastures following warmer weather conditions. A mushwani kilim rug will be about 70% pile and 30% flat weave, the colours always dark blues and reds with the same unique and traditional patterns as were created by their ancestors. Being all wool these rugs are soft, pliable and lighter weight than a pile full rug.

Kilim or Kelims are also known as flat weaves because they are created with a technique called ‘weft wrapping’. Afghan kilim rugs range from complete flat weave to combinations of flat weave and pile giving a relief texture. Some are old tribal designs, still being woven just as each tribe’s original ancestors made them.
The methods of kilim weaving has remained unchanged over centuries. The vertical warp threads are fixed and they become the foundation of the kilim. Coloured wool yarns are woven in and out of the warps to produce a design which is invariably geometric in style.
Being so reasonably priced, as well as hard-wearing and sometimes reversible, makes kilims popular for those who appreciate a lively ethnic style and are very good for those on a budget. They also look great as walls hangings.
Afghan Kilims demonstrate a multitude of different hand weave techniques depending on their place of origin. Most but not all types of Kilim are reversible with all being very hard wearing. Our range of kilims include all the Maimana kilims which include Ghalmori, Chobi, Vintage, Natural and Modern. Additionally we have weavers making Mushwani, Barjasta, Qala-e-Now, Adraskan Herat, Soumak and Saghari.Read more…