Vintage Baluch Flatweave Rug – Tribal Wool Accent Rug, 4.0x3.0 ft

Authentic, richly tactile, and full of nomadic character—this small Baluch-belt flatweave (122 × 90 cm) was woven to last and to tell a story. Its field is a tight red diamond lattice filled with tiny multicolor dots, framed by narrow guard stripes and dark end panels decorated with protective hourglass “X” devices. The handle is supple yet sturdy, ideal for a floor accent or as textile wall art.


1) Weaving tradition.
Not a knotted-pile carpet—this is a flatweave with extra-weft brocade (weft–float patterning) over a plain weave ground, a technique long practiced by Baluch/Taimani and neighboring groups from the Afghanistan–Pakistan borderlands.

2) Knot structure.
None (no pile knots). The colored patterning you see in the close-ups are brocaded weft floats, not knots.

3) Regional read.
The dark walnut ground, brick reds, olive/mustard, indigo-blue accents, and the brocaded hourglass “X” end panels are classic of Baluch workshop/tribal pieces from the Sistan–Balochistan/Herat corridor (trade finishing often in Quetta/Kandahar).

4) Age estimate.
Dyes show both muted naturals (walnut, olive) and some brighter rose/magenta typical of mid-20th-century synthetics; wear is honest, with softened corners and minor end fray → circa 1960s–1980s (vintage).

5) Maker’s marks.
No inscription; regional signatures are the brocaded hourglass bands at both ends and the dense diamond-dot “harlequin” field.

6) Thickness / density.
Flat, with a fabric-like hand. From macro photos the ground averages ~7–9 weft rows per cm; brocade floats are packed and even. Thickness about 3–4 mm.

7) Materials.

Warp: hand-spun wool (dark, visible at ends)

Weft (ground & brocade): hand-spun wool

Selvage: tightly overcast, likely goat-hair binding (dark, slightly lustrous)

Dyes: mix of natural earth tones with some early synthetics (rose/pink)

8) Motifs.

Diamond lattice: order/protection; a common nomadic grid for organizing color.

Minute dot fillings (brocaded floats): “seed” or “rain” abstractions signifying fertility/abundance.

Hourglass “X” panels at the skirts: apotropaic (warding) devices related to the ram’s-horn family.

9) Naqsha (design logic).
A continuous diagonal grid gives rhythm; scattered color changes (abrash) and occasional nested diamonds create focal points without breaking the lattice.

10) Borders.
Narrow reciprocal guards in straw/brick stabilize the field. The brocaded skirt bands act as visual “anchors” and as wear buffers at the ends—both decorative and functional.

11) Regional signatures.
Dark ground; hourglass end aprons; small-scale brocade dots; wool warps and goat-hair selvages—all hallmarks of Baluch-area flatweaves and bagfaces translated to rug format.

12) Symbolic content.
Protective hourglasses and lattice “net” imagery speak to safeguarding the household and corralling good fortune—motifs widely used in nomadic textiles.


Features:


Type: Handwoven flatweave with extra-weft brocade (no pile; reversible character)

Region: Baluch belt, Afghanistan–Pakistan trade area

Size: 122 × 90 cm (4.0 × 3.0 ft)

Warp / Weft: Hand-spun wool / wool; dark goat-hair selvage cord

Thickness: ~3–4 mm

Weave density (flatweave): ~7–9 weft rows per cm (est. from macros)

Age: Vintage, c. 1960–1980

Condition: Good vintage. Even surface; minor end fray, a few tiny brocade snags and one or two small age specks seen in macros; sides intact. Clean, no odors. Rug pad recommended.

Estimated weaving time: 2–3 weeks by one experienced weaver at this size.

Authentic Baluch tribal flatweave with rare diamond-dot brocade

Deep, earthy palette with lively indigo/rose accents and natural abrash

Protective hourglass end panels; strong nomadic aesthetic

Compact 122×90 cm size—ideal for entry, kitchen, bedside, or wall hanging

Hand-spun wool throughout; durable, breathable, and naturally soil-resistant

Care Instructions (Specific to Flatweaves)

Use a felt rug pad to reduce slip and stress on brocade floats.

Vacuum lightly with suction only (no beater bar).

Rotate seasonally; avoid long, direct sun to preserve color balance.

Blot spills with a dry cloth; spot-clean with cool water + a drop of wool-safe soap.

For deep cleaning, use a specialist familiar with Baluch flatweaves.


A genuine nomadic textile with meticulous extra-weft brocade, this vintage Baluch flatweave brings depth, history, and protective symbolism to any space. Hang it as art or enjoy it underfoot—either way, you’re living with a piece of traveling heritage. Add it to your cart to bring that story home.