My Book

‘Tribal Rugs – Treasures of the Black Tent’ was first published in October 1997 and the second edition was reprinted in 2010 and went out of print in September 2014.

A third and much larger edition was printed in 2017.

This new book contains a much larger chapter on the Turkmen tribes and extensive up-dating throughout. I have removed the chapter dedicated to the rugs of Anatolia as this is a huge area which I cannot cover in a general book.

I have therefore concentrated on the Turkmen tribes, the Baluch and Timuri tribes inhabiting the border-lands of Iran and Afghanistan, the Persian tribes i.e Afshar, Khamseh Confederacy, Kurds, Shahsevan and Qashqa'i and lastly, the village rugs from the tribes that inhabit the Caucasus.

The book is an exploration of one of the most ancient crafts in the world. Beginning with the discovery of the oldest complete rug, which has been dated to the 4th-5th century BC, the reader is taken on a journey through the weaving history of the nomadic peoples of Iran, Afghanistan, The Caucasus and Central Asia. Twenty chapters will introduce different tribal groups and illustrate the rugs, carpets, kilims and utilitarian dowry bags attributed to their weavers.

Tribal Rugs is both a celebration of the woven legacy left by the nomadic tribes and a tribute to the skill and artistry of the women who created these wonderful works of tribal art. I hope that it will provide an introduction for the novice and excite the more knowledgeable to further study.

‘Tribal Rugs – Treasures of the Black Tent’ was acclaimed as “...one of the finest books written on tribal rugs.” (Ghereh International Review).

With fewer than 100 copies now available, the price of the book is £50 plus postage/shipping.