Antique Baluch Sofreh, Djamshidi Tribe, Khorassan Province, ...

Item Ref
BM/SJ7

Illustrated in my third edition 'Tribal Rugs - Treasures of the Black Tent' on page 130 this is a magnificent example of the rare Baluch Djamshidi sofrehs, comprising a natural camel-hair field with elegant 'tree-of-life' in the centre. The tree rises from the underground, through the Earthly world and with branches emanating in the world of the Spirit. On the branches of the tree are tiny flowering shrubs.
The field is framed by a large, main border with '8-pointed stars' and the sofreh retains its complete kilim skirts at each end. Dating to the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the sofreh is in excellent condition with no repairs whatsoever. Very collectable.
Size: 1.27m x 0.71m (4' 2" x 2' 4").
£3,300

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1902

The deep indigo-blue ground contains a myriad of cockerels, symbolising the harbinger of the day and dispeller of the night. Made by Baluch tribes around 1880 in Khorassan Province, north-eastern Persia, the rug is in excellent overall condition with no repairs and retains its original plain-weave skirts. The wool is lustrous and glossy and it needs to be seen to appreciate the beautiful natural colours. I've tried to capture the beautiful colours outside in natural daylight and these can be seen in the close-up photos attached.
Size: 1.60m x 1.02m (5' 3" x 3' 4").
£2,350

Antique Prayer-Rug, Baluch Tribes, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1861

Just adorable! A rare, small size Baluch prayer-rug with a beautiful drawing of the 'tree-of-life' on a natural camel-hair field and unusual yet striking, palmette in the prayer niche. The hand-panels contain a simply-drawn 'tree' in each, again on natural camel-hair background.
In excellent condition and dating to circa 1870-1880, this charming little rug retains its original plain-weave ends.
Size: 1.42m x 0.76m (4' 8" x 2' 6").
£1,800

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-east ...

Item Ref
BM1923

Here we see a powerful rendition of the 'scorpion' symbol, depicted on a natural camel-hair ground. The use of the scorpion knotted or woven into rugs is specifically to keep out live scorpions from entering the rug itself! Having sat on Qashqa'i rugs with scorpion symbols, I can tell you that sometimes it worked and other times it didn't!!! However, we should be relatively safe from scorpions here in the West!
I love the movement of the scorpions in horizontal layers, facing in both directions. Note in the mihrab, the double-headed sunbird - guardians of the gates of Paradise. The main border, according to Siawosh Azadi in his book 'Carpets in the Baluch Tradition', might originate from the Baluch of Torbat-e-Haidariyeh or Torbat-e-Djam in Khorassan Province in north-east Persia.
This stunning prayer-rug was probably made circa 1900 and is in excellent condition.
Size: 1.65m x 0.84m (5' 5" x 2' 9").
£1,450

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1922

The lustrous natural camel-hair field contains a 'tree-of-life' rising up from the underworld to the spiritual realms. Look closely at the central tree-trunk and marvel in the beautiful natural shades of sky-blue and golden yellow. The main border depicts the continuous vine pattern symbolising the eternal cycle of life.
This charming rug, made by Baluch tribes in Khorassan Province circa 1900, is in excellent condition, complete with short brocaded skirts and goat-hair selvedges.
Size: 1.42m x 0.76m (4' 8' x 2' 6").
£1,250

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1948

This charming little Baluch rug has to be seen and handled to appreciate the beautiful natural colours and soft, glossy wool. Observe the close-up photos for a better idea of true colour. Made in the Khorassan region of north-east Persia by Baluch tribes circa 1880 to 1900, the rug has an overall unusual field design of small shrubs and also an uncommon main madder-red border. In very good condition.
I have decided to take a few more photos in daylight in order to try and show the beautiful colours.
Size: 1.52m x 0.92m (5' x 3').
£1,250

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1913

This beautiful, small Baluch rug has fabulous, glossy wool and dates to the last quarter of the 19th century.
The main border design is unusual and most attractive and the inner border is knotted in natural camel-hair. In very good overall condition, this is a very collectible little rug from the Khorassan Baluch nomads.
Size: 1.06m x 0.81m (3' 6" x 2' 8").
£950

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM/Baluch

Rare, early Baluchis like this one are few and far between and particularly in such very good condition.
Made around 1860 in Khorassan Province, north-eastern Persia, a similar example can be seen in the V & A collection, but not as early as this one! The intense indigo-blue field depicts a serrated leaf adjoining flower-heads - possibly nectar-blossom - and the continuous vine main border symbolises the eternal cycle of life. This fabulous Baluch is in excellent condition with a few expertly-done repairs and retains its long chevron skirts at each end.
This rug is among the best of nineteenth century Khorassan Baluch rugs and is highly collectible.
Size: 2.50m x 1.30m (8' 3" x 4' 3").
SOLD

Rare Antique Baluch Wedding Rug, Baluch Tribes, ...

Item Ref
BM/MI1

Recently arrived, this amazing and very rare wedding-rug, made by Baluch tribes in Khorassan province circa 1880. The unusual square size, the main borders only at top and bottom, the original selvedges and the vertical border-type patterns indicate a very special little rug, certainly not a bread sofreh, but quite possibly a rug made for the bride and groom to take their wedding vows.
Size: 84cm x 84cm (2' 9" x 2' 9").
SOLD

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1412

This Baluch rug ranks up amongst the very best with its fabulous indigo-blue field incorporating attractive sky-blue lozenges. The glowing madder-red main border depicts the 'hashie anguri' or grape-vine pattern. In excellent condition, and made circa 1870, this Baluch will be on display and for sale at the HALI Fair in London from the 27th - 30th June.
Size: 2.14m x 1.07m (7' 0" x 3' 6").
SOLD

Antique Baluch Rug, Ali Mirza'i Tribe, Khorassan ...

Item Ref
BM1902

Just magnificent! Ali Mirza'i Baluch weaving at it's very best from circa 1870-1880.
What instantly appeals is the use of glowing madder-red throughout. The central field with its myriad of totemic octagons - like Turkmen guls - disappearing under the borders and out into infinity! So what the weaver has done here is to simply grab a small piece of Paradise, surround it with a powerful 'hashie nargessi' or narcissus main border, and prevent good from escaping and evil spirits getting in.
The rug is in excellent condition for its age with brocaded chevron plain-weave skirts at each end. The lower skirt has had restoration in two of the black chevrons as can be seen in one of the close-up images but otherwise no other repairs exist in the rug. A superb and rare example of Baluchi weaving.
Size: 1.83m x 0.97m (6' 0" x 3' 2").
SOLD

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
B15

Magnificent natural colours abound in this rare and superb rug of the Baluch nomads of north-east Persia, made around 1870. The natural camel-hair field contains what appear to be stylised leaves in shades of vegetable aubergine, turquoise, light and mid indigo-blues. The main border is stunning with its light-blue continuous vine running all the way round on a glowing madder-red background colour. The only damage on the rug is in the two narrow bands of dark-brown soumack weave in both skirts, where the dark-brown dye has corroded due to the mordant effect. The lower skirt has the worst of the damage and I have had the bands sewn onto a backing cloth to protect from any further damage rather than remove the skirts completely which would, in my mind, amount to sacrilege! The rug is such a superb example of its type that I feel it should be placed in a very quiet room or hung on a wall - a great way to admire such a fabulous piece.
Size: 2.03m x 1.05m (6' 8" x 3' 5").
SOLD