Afghani carpets

Important areas of carpet manufacturing in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is situated in the south of Asia, adjoining Iran and Turkmenistan to the west, Uzbekistan and Tadzjikistan in the north together with Pakistan and China in the east. The capital of the city is Kabul and the main part of the country is covered with mountains. Only a tenth of the countrys area is fruitful, but at the same time among the most fruiftul in the world. The population, the Afghans , represent the most of diverse ethnic groups (tribes) where the Pashtuns are the largest. Other large ethnic groups are the Tadjics, the Hazars and the Uzbekis.

The country has for many years been plugged by internal and international conflicts with larger Western powers. Since 2004 when a new constitution was set the country is governed by a president.

Two of the most popular carpets from Afghanistan are Khal Mohammadi and Afghan Aqche. Khal Mohammadi are handmade by the Turkomans in the north of Afghanistan, and in some cases they can also be hand knotted in Pakistan by the Turkomans who have crossed over the borders into Pakistan. The primary colours are dark red in different nuances. Occurring motifs are göls (elephant like pattern) and octagonal (eight shaped) often with curvilinear flowers in dark blue, ochre and beige. Afghan Aqche carpets are handmade by the Turkomans in central and north Afghanistan.

Pile, warp and weft consists of wool, goat and sometimes also horse hair.

Technical information Khal Mohammadi:
Pile: wool
Warp: wool
Knot: symmetrical
Knot density: 150 000 - 230 000 knots per square metre
Sizes: from 100x150 to 250x350 cm, 80x120 to 80x400 cm
Some examples of Khal Mohammadi carpets:

Technical information Afghan Aqche:
Pile: wool
Warp: wool
Knot: symmetrical
Knot density: 80 000 - 180 000 knots per square metre
Sizes: from 100x150 to 250x350 cm, 80x120 to 80x300 cm
Some examples of Afghan Aqche carpets:

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