Medallion
|
Medallions are a primary indentification motif in rugs from around the world. Afghan rugs, particularly Baluchi rugs, have a variety of medallions used by artists in particular regions. Examples of war rug Medallion |
|
|
Eight lobe Baluchi medallion. Unusual features are light field and bright colors. |
Border
|
Borders are like hedges surrounding a garden. Many rugs have three borders, a main border surrounded by minor borders, or guard stripes. Regions, towns, families, and weavers have their own border designs, so borders are a good way to identify and group rugs. The curator of several important war rug exhibitions, Ariel Zeitlin Cooke, finds borders to be a primary identifier of rug origins. Examples of war rug Border |
|
|
The main, or center, border in this rug is typically Taimini. The white border and eight pointed stars are what make it Taimani. |
Prayer Niche
|
Directional Motif at the top of a prayer rug Examples of war rug Prayer Niche |
|
|
Unusual landscape element as mihrab. |
Skirt
|
Kilim or pile design, located outside of border on top or bottom of rug Examples of war rug Skirt |
|
|
This is unusual, the border is a very narrow, single stripe surrounding the field, with a skirt on top and bottom. The skirt is, oddly, a traditional border design. |