One-of-a-kind

ShabarganHand KnottedRug

Dark red / Brown178 x 254 cm

The Shabargan rug tradition draws its roots from the northern regions of Afghanistan, near the historic trading town of Sheberghan. This area has long served as a meeting point for various nomadic and settled weaving communities, each contributing distinct aesthetic elements to the local repertoire.

The construction features a hand-knotted pile built on sturdy natural foundations, a method designed to create a resilient and long-lasting floor covering. The choice of 100% wool provides natural lanolin retention, which helps resist everyday dirt and keeps the fibres resilient over time.

Visually, these rugs often incorporate repeating geometric motifs and tribal symbols arranged across a rich field, enclosed by detailed borders. The warm red background tone is characteristic of the region, achieved through traditional dyeing methods that develop a soft patina as the wool ages.

Collecting a piece from this tradition connects your home to generations of textile heritage. Owning such a rug means appreciating the human skill and cultural continuity embedded in every row of knots.

Crafted entirely by hand using traditional hand-knotted techniques, this Shabargan rug represents hundreds of hours of focused human labour. Artisans painstakingly tie each individual knot onto the foundation, ensuring the pattern remains sharp and the pile stays securely anchored.

With a total area measuring approximately 4.52 m2 and a knot density of 90,000 knots per m2, this piece contains around 406,800 individual knots. Completing a rug of this scale and density requires months of dedicated craftsmanship, relying on skills passed down through generations.

The substantial weight of 14.5 kg further reflects the density of the materials and the tight construction of the weave. This careful density ensures that the foundation holds firmly in place, supporting the plush wool pile through decades of daily use.