Afghan war rug (Baluchi)

A large Afghan war rug (Baluchi) depicting a number of military motifs, including tanks, gun carriers, grenades, armoured vehicles, as well as Baluchi geometric medallions and plant forms. The central field of the rug is dominated by military motifs and stylised medallions, while in the main border armoured cars and tanks alternate. Produced by the Baluchi, traditionally a group of rug weaving nomads occupying eastern Iran, western and northern Afghanistan and western Turkestan. War rugs were produced in response to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979, possibly intended as souvenirs for Russian officers. The rugs are made primarily by members of the Baluch, Uzbek, Turkmen and Hazara ethnic groups, who, most recently, have fled the domination of the Taliban in Afghanistan. As a result, weavers who have fled Afghanistan make contemporary war rugs in refugee camps at Peshawar and Quetta in Pakistan.