Shikar Sozani One-OF-A-Kind-Afghan Rug

A Herat Sozani kilim of cream ground with spare geometric-floral medallions — its name echoing the great Central Asian suzani embroidery tradition, its lightness unusual in the Afghan flat-weave canon.
The suzani — the large embroidered textile produced by women across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the broader Central Asian tradition as a central element of the dowry — is known for the density and richness of its surface: silk on cotton, motif upon motif, the field covered in botanical and geometric devices worked over months or years. The Sozani kilim of Herat takes the name and the vocabulary but translates them into the flat-weave format with an unusual restraint: the cream-ivory ground carries a spare, elegant repeat of stylised geometric-floral medallions in crimson and navy, the field visible between the devices, the composition open and breathing in a manner that the Afghan kilim tradition rarely permits itself. The characteristic vertical stem and branching motifs that connect the scattered devices are the clearest link to the suzani heritage. Woven entirely in wool by Turkmen craftspeople in Herat.
A hand-knotted rug is an investment piece. With proper care it will last a lifetime and become a cherished heirloom. Each knot in this collection is tied by hand by nomadic tribesmen, making every piece entirely one of a kind.
Variations in colour and tone — known as abrash — are a hallmark of authentic handmade rugs, particularly tribal and vintage pieces. Wear and age only add to their beauty.