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Types of Afghan Rugs and How to Choose: Sherwan, Kazak, Ghazni, Kilim and More
"Afghan rug" covers a wide range of rugs: depending on where they are woven and the techniques handed down, the designs and textures differ greatly. This guide sums up the main types and what to know when choosing your first one.
What is an Afghan rug?
Afghanistan sits where the weaving cultures of Persia, the Caucasus and Turkmen Central Asia meet. That is why its rugs range from bold geometric designs to graceful florals. Most are woven from highland wool.
The six main types
Sherwan (Shirvan)
Rugs that carry on the Shirvan style of the Caucasus: geometric medallions, stylised plants and serrated borders, densely knotted in indigo, madder red and ivory.
Kazak
Known for bold geometry: large stars, octagons and diamonds. The pile is a little longer, and the bright colours look great in modern interiors too.
Khal Mohammadi
Rows of Turkmen güls (tribal emblem-like motifs) on a deep madder-red ground. The warm, settled red brings warmth to both tatami and Western-style rooms.
Ghazni wool
Rugs woven from wool named after Ghazni, a town in eastern Afghanistan. The wool has a natural sheen and suppleness, and designs range from florals, medallions and hunting scenes to modern pieces.
Gabbeh
Loved for its thick pile and simple designs with lots of open space. Plain, grid and patchwork designs sit easily in a natural-style room.
Kilim
A flat-woven rug with no pile. Thin and light, it is easy to move and store, and works well on tatami or over underfloor heating. Most kilims can be used on both sides.
Quality checklist
- The design on the back: on a hand-knotted rug, the design shows clearly on the back too.
- The fringe: warp threads that continue into the fringe are a sign of hand-knotting (kilims and some others are exceptions).
- Colour variation: gentle shifts in colour (abrash) are part of the charm of handwork.
- Material: check whether it is 100% wool or a wool-silk blend. Silk gives a beautiful sheen but needs more careful care.
Choosing a size
As a guide: around 60×90cm for an entrance, about 2 tatami in front of a sofa, and 3 to 4.5 tatami to cover a living room. Long runners suit hallways. Hand-knotted rugs vary by a few centimetres, so always check the exact measurements on the product page.
Afghan rugs at RUGINZA
RUGINZA carries one-of-a-kind pieces of every type covered here.