10. Jaf rug fragment

10. Jaf rug fragment (cut and reduced in size), 2nd half 19th century 1.05m x 2.20m

Jaf rugs, while available, are not nearly so common as there khorjin counterparts and rarely have anything like as many colours. Why this is so I cannot say, perhaps a shortage of wealth that only allowed for the production of smaller weavings or perhaps they simply did not see the need for colourful (and therefore expensive) rugs which would only be seen, by-and-large, by the family. Better to display the colour skills on the backs of donkeys for all to see, albeit in smaller more concentrated doses.

Despite the fragmentary condition, I still consider this a great example of rug art. The browns have corroded leaving the rest of the pile standing proud, there is a great range of strong natural dyes and the wool is soft and shiny. Running up through the middle of the field are half diamonds, relating this rug to the bags. See also plate 16 for an even rarer example of this rug design used in a bagface.

colours: 13