One-of-a-kind

Bokhara 2plyHand KnottedRug

Brown / Black124 x 189 cm

Bokhara rugs take their name from the historic Silk Road city of Bukhara in Central Asia, a region once famed as a central hub for trade and cultural exchange. While the designs have their roots in these ancient nomadic traditions, the finest examples today are woven in Pakistan, where artisans have refined the craft over generations to produce rugs of remarkable consistency and softness.

The '2ply' designation refers to the way the wool is prepared before weaving. By twisting two strands of wool together, the yarn becomes more durable and gains a distinctive lustre. This technique allows the rug to stand up to the demands of a busy home while retaining a luxurious, silky feel underfoot that single-ply construction simply cannot match.

Visually, this rug is defined by the repeating gul motif, an octagonal or elephant-foot shape that symbolises protection and prosperity in many Central Asian cultures. These medallions are typically set against a vibrant field and framed by intricate, geometric borders, creating a formal and balanced look that has remained a favourite in homes for centuries.

Collecting a hand-knotted rug like this is an investment in human skill and regional heritage. Because these pieces are made by hand without the aid of machines, each one carries the subtle marks of its maker, offering a level of authenticity and cultural weight that mass-produced items cannot replicate.

This rug is crafted using traditional hand-knotted techniques that demand significant time and focus from the artisan. With a density of 160,000 knots per m2, the creation of this 2.34 m2 piece involves approximately 375,000 individual knots, all placed by hand to ensure the pattern remains sharp and the pile stays dense and durable for many years.

The process relies on the precision of the weaver, who carefully manages each knot to build a structure that is both flexible and strong. This level of investment in labour is clearly reflected in the 5.9 kg weight of the rug, which signals the substantial amount of wool used in its construction and the rigorous attention to detail required to achieve such a consistent finish.