Afghan Mushwani Rug

Mushwani rugs use a combination of knotted pile, flat weave (kilim), and embroidery techniques, creating a unique contrast in texture and colour. They are originally dyed with madder root (for reds) and indigo (for blues), however they also come in brown versions which are simply red Mushwani rugs which have undergone an acid wash which transforms the colour. They use Turkish (Ghiordes) knots, which are symmetrical and contribute to the rug's durability. The design is dominated by lozenges, diamonds, hooked motifs, and medallions. The somewhat uncommon smaller sizes of Mushwani rugs come from their original use in smaller tents and nomadic dwellings. These rugs are a distinctive type of tribal carpet produced by the Mushwani tribe, a sub-group of the larger Aimaq ethnic group of western Afghanistan, particularly in Herat, Badghis, Ghor, and Farah provinces. They are a Persian-speaking group of pastoral nomads who migrate with their herds and weave rugs primarily for domestic use.