Hand-Knotted Wool Afghan Kazak Rug, Stepped Cruciform Medallion, 3'6" × 5'2"

A hand-knotted wool rug in the Afghan Kazak tradition, built around a bold stepped cruciform medallion that dominates a brick-red field. The central motif is an eight-pointed star in ivory and slate blue, nested within a navy diamond ground and framed by a stepped geometric surround — a composition closely related to the Chelaberd (Eagle Kazak) and Lori Pambak sub-types of the eastern Caucasus and their Afghan revival counterparts. Flanking the medallion, stylized birds and small animal figures animate the field, a hallmark of village Kazak weaving where representational elements carry talismanic meaning. Squared corner cartouches hold secondary geometric rosettes, and indigo pole medallions with crossed-element devices balance the vertical axis.

The border system comprises three guard stripes and a navy-ground main band of alternating rosette-and-leaf meander, executed in a palette of warm madder-red, indigo, teal, and undyed ivory — the color grammar of traditional Caucasian and Afghan Kazak production. Weavers in the Kunduz and Ghazni regions revived antique Caucasian patterns using hand-spun, vegetable-dyed wool, and the knot density of 90 KPI places this firmly in quality Afghan production rather than lower-end work. A retail maker's tag identifying type as Kazak remains attached to the reverse.

CONDITION

Good. Pile is full with even wear across the field; colors remain saturated with no significant fading or bleeding. Ends and selvages are intact, with original short fringe present at both ends.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Approx. 3'6" × 5'2" (from label)
• Material: Wool
• Knot Density: 90 KPI
• Construction: Hand-knotted
• Type: Afghan Kazak