5 x 16 - Red Antique Kilim Rug - 79404

79404 Antique Afghani Maimana Kilim Rug Runner, 04'11 x 15'09.

The Nomadic Axis: An Antique Afghani Maimana Masterpiece of Tribal Elegance

This handwoven wool antique Afghani Maimana kilim runner is a distilled expression of nomadic intelligence—woven not for spectacle, but for meaning. Long and rhythmic in format, it was designed to guide movement through space, serving as both pathway and proclamation. Such pieces were created within tribal communities where geometry functioned as language, and weaving was a hereditary act of cultural preservation rather than commerce.

The exceptional composition is defined by a sequence of bold, interlocking lozenge forms arranged along a central axis. These medallion-like diamonds establish a strong visual cadence, anchoring the runner while allowing the surrounding stepped motifs to pulse outward. The geometry is intentional and confident, reflecting a worldview rooted in balance, protection, and continuity—hallmarks of Maimana weaving traditions.

Surrounding borders reinforce this architectural clarity. Sawtooth edges, angular guards, and repeated minor motifs frame the field with disciplined precision, creating a sense of containment without stiffness. The repetition is never mechanical; subtle irregularities reveal the human hand and the intuitive decision-making of the weaver, elevating the piece from design to artifact.

Collected today by those who value provenance and authenticity, this exquisite work of art offers an experience of quiet authority. It brings tribal elegance into refined interiors without dilution—assertive yet restrained, ancient yet effortlessly relevant. This is not decoration, but cultural inheritance: a rare, one-of-a-kind masterpiece that signals discernment, scholarship, and enduring taste.

• Abrash.
• Handwoven wool.
• Made in Afghanistan.
• Measures: 04'11 x 15'09.
• Date: 1930's. Early 20th Century.