Tehzeeb Maimana Gelum One-OF-A-Kind-Afghan Rug

A small Herat Hazara Gelum of dark charcoal with bold burnt orange and ivory diamonds — the nomadic textile tradition of the Hazara in its most concentrated form.
The Gelum is the most fundamental textile in Afghan nomadic life. Not a display piece, not a commission — a floor covering, a prayer mat, a sleeping surface, a thing woven because it was needed and because weaving was what the women of the household did while the world moved around them. The Hazara craftspeople of the Herat region have produced Gelums in this tradition for generations, the geometric vocabulary — bold diamond forms in closely-set colours — as consistent in its essential character as the wool it is made from. On a dark charcoal ground, the burnt orange and ivory diamonds of this small piece create a dramatic chromatic contrast that belies the simplicity of the slit-woven tapestry technique. Woven entirely in wool, with the vivid tassel fringe in natural wool that completes every Gelum. Small in scale and very direct in its effect.
A hand-woven 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.