Vintage Afghan Tree of Life Bird Rug in Ivory, Indigo and Madder Red

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Description

A vintage Afghan rug, hand-knotted in wool in the late 20th century and drawn in the Caucasian tradition, with a … Read more A vintage Afghan rug, hand-knotted in wool in the late 20th century and drawn in the Caucasian tradition, with a repeating tree of life design across a soft camel-ivory field. Five slender trees rise the length of the rug, each branch tipped with angular blossoms and leaf forms, and the field between them is populated with birds — roosters, peacocks, and small perched songbirds — placed freehand in the naive, unhurried manner of village weaving. A wide reciprocal border of stepped shield forms frames the composition, closed at both edges by a narrow running-S guard stripe.

The palette is warm and deeply saturated: an undyed camel-ivory ground carries madder red and rust orange through the trees and border shields, with indigo and a lighter sky blue in the birds and blossoms, and touches of gold ochre and dark aubergine for contrast. The wool has the soft natural lustre of handspun yarn, and the ground shifts gently in tone across its width where the undyed fleece varies — the mark of a hand-spun, small-batch weaving rather than a machine-uniform one.

Hand-knotted in wool on a cotton foundation with a medium pile, a firm even handle, and secure selvedges. In excellent vintage condition with no holes, no staining, and no low pile; the colors remain strong and unfaded.

The ivory ground keeps a densely drawn pattern feeling light rather than heavy, which makes this an unusually flexible piece — it warms a minimal, neutral room without dominating it, and sits just as comfortably in a layered, collected interior. At 5'9" × 8'5" it works as a primary rug in a study, bedroom, or smaller living room, or as a layering piece over sisal.

Professional rug cleaning recommended. A pad is advised for use on hard flooring. See less