21

Baluch Pile Rug
19th century

The field of this prayer rug features a "shrub" device similar to that often seen in weavings attributed to the Dokhtor-e-Ghazi, although the "shrub" appears inverted in this example. The major border uses a device sometimes seen in work attributed to the Timuri, but the thin handle of this piece would tend to rule out a Timuri attribution. The wool is soft and lustrous, with the various browns very likely being undyed wool for there is no evidence of corrosion due to the use of an iron mordant (see detailed images).  The weaver created subtle but obviously  quite deliberate design variations within each shrub; no two are identical.  The scattered checkerboard patterns in the right side of the field, and the small reciprocal pattern along the left field perimeter also lend an improvisatorial feel to the piece.  As with most "Baluch" weavings, a reasonably precise attribution is difficult, if not impossible.   For a  prayer rug with a somewhat similar field, including checkerboard patterns around the field's perimeter, see Craycraft's plate No. 13. ¹  

1. Michael Craycraft and Anne Halley, Belouch Prayer Rugs, San Francisco, 1983.