Condition: Ambushed column depicted in center of rug, with flaming plane on the hillside. The foreground figure engages the viewer plaintively with hands outspread at their side.
This rug represents the fundamental strategy of the Afghan Mujahadin during the Soviet-Afghan War: ambush. The planes are effectively broken down into foreground, middle ground, and background. The center left shows an armored column with the lead vehicle on fire. This is a technique insurgents continue to employ in wars today. The figure in the foreground, plaintively addressing the viewer in a classic tribal rug gesture with hands outstretched to the sides, shows Afghan villagers' powerlessness and contextualizes the war poignantly.
Wool: Excellent
Sheen: Very good
Handle: Floppy
Fringe: Minimum kilim, Persian knots, 1 inches fringe
Pile: 5 millimeters
Warp: Natural wool, 1Z1S
Weft: 2 brown 1 orange, wool
