Rug with Stylized Star-Field Design

Artist

Baluch, Northeastern Iran (Iranian)
; Baluch, Western Aghanistan (Afghan)

Date

Late 19th century

Medium

Wool

Dimensions

Work : 51 x 28 1/2 in. (1.3 m x 72.39 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Verne Trinoskey and Paula Armintrout Trinoskey

Object Number

2019.25.27

Label

This rug shows clear evidence of having been woven in several stages, possibly by different weavers. Two sections of the rug stand out as having been made with different wool and cruder weaving techniques. One explanation for this is that the weaving process may have been interrupted by a migration and the cruder sections were done under less than ideal conditions while the family was on the move. Another explanation is that the rug was used to help teach young girls about the weaving process. Under this scenario, the cruder sections represent the work of the inexperienced young weaver while the more polished sections represent the work of the older, more skilled mentor.