Rug from the Belloutche tribe, 108 x 240 cm, late 19th.
Baloutch tribe Iran, Machad regionBODY OF WORK<strong>Thestrong> Baloutche rug is recognizable by its dark colours and elogated shape.Torbat-é-Haidareih is a town of about inhabitants, located at meters altitude.<strong>Thestrong> best Baloutche or Belouj rugs are found in <strong>thestrong> surrounding villages, like this piece, which has woven kilim trim and 'S' repeated in <strong>thestrong> borders.Its design is very simple and <strong>thestrong> colours are rare. <strong>Thestrong> box is covered in three rows of stylised flowers in light colours, which alternate with <strong>thestrong> same designs in a more subtle red. <strong>Thestrong> main border is very wide, consisting of large floral designs connected by double hooked bands. <strong>Thestrong> Baloutche production will most likely be reevaluated for its contribution to <strong>thestrong> collection of rugs; Never<strong>thestrong>less, it represents one of <strong>thestrong> richest veins of traditional weaving.<strong>THEstrong> TRIBE<strong>Thestrong> Baloutche tribes are very unevenly spread out across three countries: Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, where Baloutchistan itself is located; 70% of <strong>thestrong>m live <strong>thestrong>re.<strong>Thestrong> Baloutche people remain very attached to <strong>thestrong>ir traditions; <strong>thestrong> men still wear <strong>thestrong> turban, while <strong>thestrong> women dress in brightly coloured costumes, decorated with jewellery. Contrary to <strong>thestrong>ir Persian neighbours, <strong>thestrong> Baloutche people practice a Sunni variant that allows <strong>thestrong>m to keep numerous specific beliefs and local religions. Like <strong>thestrong> numerous Iranian tribes, <strong>thestrong> Baloutche people more often live in tents than in yurts.<strong>Thestrong> Baloutche people formerly lived more to <strong>thestrong> West, in Iran, south of <strong>thestrong> Caspian sea, according to <strong>thestrong> work of <strong>thestrong> 11th century Persian poet, Firdousi. Sellers and collectors admit that <strong>thestrong> designation, 'Baloutche' is incorrect for many pieces, which are often <strong>thestrong> work of neighbouring tribes, but it's remarkable that centuries of improvisations have not dissolved <strong>thestrong> links between certain Baloutche designs and those of native Iranian tribes. Read More