Author Archives: Kevin

About Kevin

Kevin Sudeith is an artist and the creator and curator of the war rug collection seen on warrug.com. Beginning as (and remaining) a collector, he began selling war rugs to learn as much as possible about the rugs. Later he sold what he calls "regular rugs" to better study rugs and their historical origins. Sudeith learned how war rugs related to traditional Afghan tribal and workshop rugs as well as the broader Turkmen and Persian rug traditions.

“That rug really tied the room together”


This rug really does!
Compare to the one on which The Dude listens to “Venice Beach League Playoffs, 1987” in the Coen Brothers brilliant The Big Lubowski. Signed Kashan, 6’8″x10’5″, Condition and wool are excellent. $775

Kazak. Iranian Kurdish. N.W. Iran. 4×6 $300

Kazak, N.W. Iran, Kurdish, 4’x6′, $225

Third Generation Iraq Rug, aprox. 4’x6′, $775

Turkish Kilim, 7’2″x11′, $450

4×6′ Needlepoint, $225

6′ Diameter Needlpoint. $325


Kazak, N.W. Iran, Kurdish, 4’x6′, $225

Pictorial Rugs from Iran

A friend, and fellow rug collector, sent these interesting rug photos recently.

Rug 1

Rug 1 appears to be dated 3/3/57. February 1, 1979 corresponds to the 3rd day of the 3rd month of 1357, which coincidently is the day Khomeini returned from France. Secondly there is the French tri-color on the plane’s tail. The preceding word is hard to read but could be related to childbirth or the making of an epoch. Between the plane and the car appears to be a rising sun, an Iranian national symbol (usually shown in rugs rising over a lion’s back). This rug most likely, commemorates Khomeini’s return to Iran.

Rug 2


Rug 2 shows the Kabba in Saudi Arabia:

Notice the black rectangle, but also the smaller buildings around the black shroud are seen in both rug and drawing. The green shows the holiness of the site depicted. Also notice the minarets and arches in the top band of the rug. This rug probably commemorates someones hajj, or was woven to sell on the hajj. Iranians, and Afghans, often bring rugs on the hajj to sell to cover the expenses of the trip.
Rug 3

The text on the top of Rug 3, starting from the right, means square or open space, and the second word, azadi, is “freedom”. So one expects this is woven after 1979 when Khomeini changed the name of the arch the Shah built.

Rug 4

The same text is at top of rug 4. The second line says “maasheen” which surprisingly means motor or car, and the second word seems to be person or individual – the second character is hard to make out. The othere two words, to the left, are again ‘machine’ and probably something like government or state. So, indeed it is the government car following a personal car? It sounds like they could use some freedom in “Freedom Square”.
Rug 5

Behind the Purdah

Joanne Warfield’s photographs of Afghanistan are beautiful, and this group is important.

I asked permission to take photographs, which was kindly granted to me. I knew at the time that this was a unique and special honor.
[…]
so this incredible opportunity to photograph the tailor’s family was a very special one indeed. And, little did I know at the time what a rare event it really was.

Thanks John

Upcoming Lectures

I will be giving a lecture on Thursday October 13 at 7:00 pm at the Fiber Art Center in Amherst, MA.

October 13, 7 p.m., LECTURE: “War Rugs of Afganistan.” Kevin Sudeith speaks of the history and motifs of Afgan war rugs. $5 non-members, members free.

October 14 – 15, TRUNK SHOW: War Rugs of Afganistan. Come see magnificient handwoven rugs that include depictions of maps, tanks, bullets, flags, helicopters and trucks alongside traditional motifs such as poppies and urns. Kevin Sudeith, the pre-eminent collector and dealer in these rugs, will be on hand to answer questions about the origins of the rugs and the artists who weave them. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Foundation for Fiber Art.

I will be on hand with a selection of war rugs until Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, October 16 I am bringing rugs and the lecture to North Berkshire Creative Arts

War Rugs from Afghanistan — Sun. October 16

Northern Berkshire Creative Arts is pleased to welcome Kevin Sudeith, to lecture on “War Rugs from Afghanistan” from 12pm – 3:30pm on Sunday October 16 at Northern Berkshire Creative Arts, located 2610 MASS MoCA Way. North Adams, MA. Their will be a reception and rugs will be offered for sale following the
lecture. For more information please contact Sean Riley at (413) 663-8338 … and also check out nbca’swebsite: nbcreativearts.org

I’m very excited about both venues, and I hope to see you there!

Earthquake Report

This is a firsthand report from Islamabad

Islamabad, Peshawar and surrounding cities, it felt like we are sitting in a
swing and are being swung. I can not tell how we had feeling at the moment
we were feeling jerks.
[….]
Once can not imagine to have several parts of the country being flattened at once within the course of one to three minutes.

Kevin Kelly Photos


The whole portfolio is worth viewing. His book”

Boy with Khourjin

Link

The tools for carpet weaving are simple and few. There’s the loom, in a horizontal position. The weaver squats on the finished carpet as she weaves. She ties new knots of dyed yarn along the edge. She trims the tied knot with the curved knife. Then she tightens the finished row of knots with the long-handled comb. Then, she further trims the area she just finished with the scissors, maintaining an even pile on the whole carpet.