9×12 Afghan Shawl Rug – Hand-Knotted Turkmen Rug
This 9×12 Afghan Shawl Rug brings the decorative character of traditional Turkmen textiles into a beautifully balanced hand-knotted composition. Measuring approximately 9 ft × 11 ft 9 in, the rug features a striped field of red, orange, green, beige, and navy, framed by muted blue borders. Its rich yet softened palette gives the piece a distinctive presence without overwhelming the room.
Key Features
- Design: Shawl Turkmen
- Size: 274 × 359 cm (approximately 9 ft × 11 ft 9 in)
- Colors: Muted blue, red, orange, green, beige, and navy
- Pattern: Vertical striped field inspired by traditional tribal shawls, with individual bands containing simple floral and geometric motifs
- Construction: Hand-knotted
- Origin: Sheberghan, Afghanistan
Quality
Hand-knotted from Ghazni handspun wool over a strong cotton foundation, this rug combines the natural character of traditional wool with the stability required for everyday use. The handspun yarn gives the surface subtle variations in texture and color, adding depth that machine-spun wool cannot easily reproduce.
With approximately 82 knots per square inch, the weave provides a strong balance between pattern definition and durability. Ghazni wool is valued in Afghan rug making for its resilience and substantial feel, allowing the rug to withstand regular use while developing greater character as it ages.
Origin & Tradition
This rug was woven in Sheberghan, Afghanistan, an important center of Turkmen weaving in northern Afghanistan. Its Shawl Turkmen design draws inspiration from the patterned textiles and shawls associated with Central Asian tribal traditions. Instead of relying on a single dominant medallion, the field is organized into vertical bands, each decorated with simplified flowers or geometric forms.
The result is a distinctive interpretation of Turkmen design—structured, colorful, and deeply connected to the textile traditions of northern Afghanistan. Hand-knotted using techniques carried through generations of Afghan weaving, it is both a functional floor covering and an individual piece of textile craftsmanship.
