This antique Persian Balouch rug, woven in the early 20th century, is a superb example of tribal weaving from the Khorasan region near the borderlands of Iran and Afghanistan. Known for their compact size and rich symbolic language, Balouch rugs such as this were traditionally woven by semi-nomadic tribes for practical use in tents and domestic settings.
The rug features a distinctive panel-style layout, where six boxed compartments—each containing a variation of stylised cross and tree-of-life motifs—are carefully arranged within a grid-like structure. This format, reminiscent of prayer-rug architecture, provides a visual rhythm that balances precision with the intuitive freedom of tribal weaving.
A bold border of large cruciform rosettes and angular devices surrounds the field, enhancing the geometric integrity of the piece. The contrast between the saturated midnight blues and the brick-like terracotta tones, created using natural vegetal dyes, gives the rug a beautifully sun-faded, vintage character. Areas of abrash—natural shifts in colour due to hand-dyeing—add further authenticity and movement across the surface.
Woven with hand-spun wool on a wool foundation, the texture is supple yet dense, embodying the utilitarian purpose and artistic sensibility of the Balouch weaving tradition. Despite its compact format, this rug makes a strong visual statement, offering warmth, depth, and character to any space.
Perfect as an accent rug, wall hanging, or layered textile in contemporary or traditional interiors, this Balouch piece is a collectible fragment of nomadic Persian culture—subtle in palette yet striking in its tribal geometry.