numdah (Rug)

Floor covering. The brown fibre used in this rug may be yak hair. Herds of yak are kept in mountainous parts of Afghanistan.

Rectangular felt rug made of natural and dyed wool fibres, with bold patterns and designs created by patchwork and embroidery. The main design field consists of three large red diamond shapes that are decorated with blue, green, yellow and white motifs; the dominant motif resembles the number 3 or the letter E in script. There are small sun disc designs in the centre of each red diamond. The central field is surrounded by a row of rectangular embroidered red patches. There is a patchwork band of solid-coloured, natural black, brown and red-brown pieces around the edges of the design field. The short sides of the rectangle are finished with multi-coloured fringe, and there are narrow embroidered red and grey geometric borders on the long sides.