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There is a certain magic about Oriental rugs and carpets. Their colourful patterns and intricate designs evoke the mysteries of the east and often the wonder of the beholder. To many the name ‘Persian’ has come to epitomise these works of art, woven for centuries by the peoples of Asia. Such is the admiration for these treasures that fine and rare examples are much desired and command high prices at auctions and from specialist dealers.

However, not all these Oriental creations are highly priced. Indeed, many an antique or ‘old’ rug, or carpet, those of twenty five years or more, can be purchased for under the £1000 mark. This also goes for items of more recent or modern manufacture. These still exhibit the ancient skills and methods attributed to the weaver, and recognised in familiar names such as Shiraz, Qashqai, Kashan or Bokhara for example.

Among those rugs and carpets of recent manufacture one type in particular has caught the imagination of collectors. Coming from a country steeped in the traditions of weaving, these particular items are rooted in the conflict following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

This event brought to a basically nomadic and village people the face of modern warfare, which soon found expression in their ancient craft of weaving. From their looms came a range of rugs and carpets, reflecting in varying designs, the imagery of the Afghanistan war. Within a short time these woven creations with their war designs and patterns were duly marketed under the name ‘Afghan War Rugs’. Although there is a dearth of information about these rugs, they have nevertheless found their devotees among rug collectors, with their appeal also extending to those with an interest in militaria.

These unique creations tend to fall outside the mainstream of rug and carpet collecting. This is partly due to their modern origin and their unusual subject matter. Nonetheless, the market has shown a growing interest in these items, with American buyers setting the pace and thereby encouraging increases in values. These values are dependant on condition, quality, size and design of a particular item and begin at around £60-£100 for a small rug or mat, reaching to about a £1000 or more for a carpet.

For generations the various tribal groups of Afghanistan have decorated their rugs and carpets with traditional patterns and motifs. Notable among these groups are the Belouch (Baluchi), a nomadic people who wander the border regions of Afghanistan. These people are well known for their prayer rugs and distinctive floral and geometrical styled pieces, items which are much desired by collectors. In addition these people have produce numerous rugs with figurative or pictorial decoration, including the popular ‘war aksi’ (war picture) rugs. These colourful exponents of the weavers art and imagination portray village and town scenes, in which some form of military action is taking place. This can be an air raid or a tank convoy, woven symbolically into the picture. These decorative rugs command prices of £150-£300 and are welcomed additions to any ‘war rug’ collection.

Although the Belouch, along with the Taimani people, were among the main weavers of ‘war rugs’, other tribal groups were also engaged in production. To identifying these various tribal rugs can be difficult and is reliant on many factors, such as knot type, pile, colour palette, design and pattern work. But fortunately, recognising a ‘war rug’ presents few, if any, difficulties. The eye will soon pick out the outline designs of military vehicles, fighter planes, machine guns, etc., woven either as single motifs or as a formal pattern.

Some rugs are completely given over to a military design and will instantly be recognisable. These may show for example a repeat pattern of tanks and helicopters, both popular subjects with the weavers. Such patterns will be seen decorating the field of the rug, with traditional motifs making up the border design. Rugs like these are attractive with their stylistic designs and command prices between £250-£500, depending on the merits of the particular item.

In contrast some patterns will include a single item of military nature. This would be worked into the design alongside traditional motifs to form the pattern, or simply used as a decorative filler. Such rugs, with their subtle suggestions of war, command values upwards of £200, again depending on quality, design and size.

Originating as a cultural reaction to the war, these rugs soon found a ready market, stimulated it is said by Russian troops buying them as war souvenirs. This seems to have encouraged a second generation of war rugs, woven it appears mainly for export, and often overtly military or political in their design content. This is well illustrated by the ‘Mujaheddin rugs’, woven to carry anti Russian designs and patriotic statements such as ’Afghanistan Mujaheddin Long Life’. These collectable items are valued from around £120; a style of rug which is still being woven in Pakistan and finds many collectors in the USA and Europe. 

Similar rugs to these were woven to celebrate the withdrawal of Russian troops from Afghanistan in 1989. These carry motifs of national identity and celebration. Again these are desirable items with their portrayal of military equipment in the patterning and their patriotic wording. Evidently the range of war designs is limitless and each item produced is an individual work of art. In addition war designs are also to be found decorating kelims (flatweaves) products.

During the 1980s ‘war rugs’ were readily found in retailers stock and were at the time not fully appreciated for what they were. With the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan ‘war rug’ production ceased; although rugs carrying military motifs are still woven by Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Only following the war has an appreciation of their cultural and historic importance become apparent and their collecting potential recognised and established.

Today the collector may find a ‘war rug’ in a dealers shop, usually lying there as old stock or recently gathered from Afghanistan where, from time to time, they are relinquished by people for additional income. These will often show evidence of wear and tear, but all the same are worthy of attention and for possible inclusion in a collection. However, those recently produced in Pakistan will evidently look new and unworn in their appearance.

As with many antiques and collectibles fashion plays it part. In the world of Oriental rugs and carpets, styles have their periods of popularity, often influenced by current tastes in interior design. Nevertheless, good quality hand made rugs or carpets are always appreciated and are considered to be mid to long term investments. No doubt this will apply to the ‘Afghan war rug’, a little known creation in the history of weaving.

(Originally published in  ’Antiques Info’ magazine Vol.7, No.4. July/Aug.2000. This text, January 2001, contains some additions and changes to the original published and feature photographs used are not shown).