9×12 Navy Persian Crab Rug – Hand-Knotted Kharchang Design
This 9×12 navy Persian crab rug brings together bold color, intricate floral detail, and the character of traditional Afghan craftsmanship. Measuring approximately 9 ft 1 in × 11 ft 8 in, the rug features a deep navy blue field framed by muted blue borders and enlivened with vibrant orange, ivory, green, and blue motifs.
The design is built around the distinctive Kharchang, or “crab,” motif, recognized by its elaborate palmettes and claw-like extensions. Rather than relying on a central medallion, the composition flows continuously across the field, giving the rug a rich, balanced presence that works especially well in larger living rooms, dining rooms, and formal interiors.
Key Features
- Size: 277 × 355 cm (approximately 9 ft 1 in × 11 ft 8 in)
- Design: Traditional Kharchang “crab” motif
- Field Color: Deep navy blue
- Border: Muted blue
- Accent Colors: Vibrant orange, ivory, green, and blue
- Pattern: Large palmettes with claw-like extensions, alternating flower heads, smaller blossoms, and winding stems
- Composition: All-over pattern without a dominant central medallion
- Construction: Hand-knotted
Quality
Hand-knotted with a Ghazni handspun wool pile on a cotton foundation, this rug combines a naturally textured surface with the strength required for everyday use. Ghazni wool is valued for its durability, resilience, and distinctive character, while handspinning gives the yarn subtle variations that lend the finished rug greater depth and individuality.
With approximately 82 knots per square inch, the weave provides enough definition to capture the layered palmettes, blossoms, and curving stems while preserving the substantial feel associated with traditional Afghan rugs. The strong cotton foundation helps maintain the rug’s structure, making it suitable for areas where both appearance and long-term durability matter.
Origin & Tradition
This rug was hand-knotted in Sheberghan, Afghanistan, a northern Afghan city with a longstanding connection to carpet weaving and the broader textile traditions of the region. Its Kharchang design belongs to a wider family of Persian-influenced floral patterns that have been interpreted by weavers across Afghanistan and neighboring weaving regions for generations.
The name Kharchang, meaning “crab,” refers to the distinctive claw-like extensions surrounding the large floral palmettes. Here, ivory and orange motifs stand prominently against the navy field, while smaller blossoms and winding stems fill the surrounding space. The result is a sophisticated interpretation of a historic design—rich in ornament, unmistakably handcrafted, and made as a unique piece rather than a mass-produced decorative rug.
