Tribal Baluch Vintage Rug: Hand-Knotted Wool Boteh Design

Hand-knotted by Baluch weavers from the Afghanistan–Khorasan borderlands, this vintage piece delivers that coveted “wool-on-wool” softness and a moody, elegant palette. The field is a disciplined lattice of tiny boteh/leaf motifs—an enduring symbol of growth and protection—framed by classic Baluch borders in madder red, bottle green and ivory. It’s a quietly sophisticated rug that works as easily in a modern minimalist space as it does in bohemian, eclectic and cottage settings.


Weaving tradition & structure.
Close-ups of the back show fine, compact knots with slightly offset nodes and depressed warps, indicating asymmetrical (often open-left) knots on a wool warp and wool weft—a hallmark of Baluch and Timuri group rugs from western Afghanistan and neighboring Khorasan. The supple handle, dark brown wefts, and braided natural-wool fringes further support a wool-on-wool tribal construction rather than a workshop cotton-foundation weave.

Design language (naqsha).
The field is an all-over boteh/leaf lattice, each sprig aligned on a diagonal grid to create a hypnotic repeat. In Baluch symbolism, these sprigs reference fertility, continuity, and protection for the household. The main border uses a classic Baluch “running rosette and latch-hook” vocabulary; the ivory inner border with alternating hooked diamonds brightens the composition and creates a crisp frame around the dark field. Small dot guards and stepped minor borders knit the whole together—textbook Baluch design theory where dense micro-motifs and narrow guards emphasize the intimacy of the weave.

Palette & dyes.
The colors—midnight indigo, madder red, walnut brown, bottle green and ivory highlights—are consistent with village/tribal dyeing. The even, saturated tones and the soft luster visible in the pile photos suggest quality hand-dyed wool.

Age & authenticity.
Wear is light and even with intact selvages and only mild age curl at the ends; color remains strong with no UV fade lines—placing this piece circa late 1980s–1990s (vintage ~30–40 years). No signatures or workshop cartouches are present, which is typical for tribal work.

Features:

Origin: Baluch tribal weaving, western Afghanistan / Khorasan borderlands

Date: c. 1985–1995

Size: 183 × 114 cm (≈ 6'0" × 3'9")

Construction: Hand-knotted, wool pile on wool foundation (warp & weft)

Knot type: Asymmetrical (Senneh-type), depressed warps

Estimated density: ~90–110 KPSI (≈ 140–170 thousand knots total)

Pile height: ~7–9 mm (medium, velvety)

Design: All-over boteh/leaf lattice with Baluch rosette & latch-hook borders

Colors: Deep indigo ground, madder red, walnut, bottle green, ivory accents

Condition: Very good vintage. Even pile, firm edges, ends original with minor age fray at the fringes; no holes, stains, or noticeable repairs observed.

Weaving time: At this fineness and size, roughly 3–4 months of loom time for one skilled weaver.



Authentic wool-on-wool handle—warm, pliable, and naturally matte-lustrous.

Museum-favorite Baluch palette that reads dark and sophisticated without going black.

Protective boteh motif repeated across the field—gentle symbolism woven for the home.

Versatile size for entry, living room layering, under a coffee table, office, or bedroom.

Care instructions (easy & rug-safe)

Use a rug pad to prevent slip and reduce wear.

Vacuum weekly with suction only (no beater bar).

Rotate seasonally for even exposure.

Blot spills immediately; spot clean with cool water and a few drops of wool-safe detergent.

Avoid prolonged direct sun; for a deep refresh, choose professional hand-washing every 3–5 years.



Bring home an honest, soulful tribal weaving with rich color, soft hand, and protective symbolism. If you’d like, I can include a custom-cut rug pad and a care card—just ask at checkout. Ready to ship from my studio, professionally cleaned and vacuumed.