Bokhara
Fine Bokhara Rugs
One-of-a-Kind, Hand Knotted, and Handspun Wool with Vegetable Dye
Bokhara rugs make an amazing choice to bring a high-quality, Persian rug into your home. Their craftsmanship and quality are top-notch and work perfectly to define a space.
Bokhara rugs are knotted in Pakistan and made of high quality hand spun wool and vegetable dyes. These rugs are known for their repeating rows of guls and geometrical patterns.
History of Bokhara Rugs
Bokhara rugs originated in the Bukhara region, located in the southwest of Uzbekistan. They were first made by nomadic tribes who roamed this region. Later they began to be crafted in Pakistan and India as well.
The unique colors, patterns, and weaving technique along with their extremely soft pile are just some of the factors that make Bokhara rugs so popular around the world.
Â
Where Are Bokhara Rugs From
The name Bokhara rugs is usually used to describe modern Tekke-faced rugs that are made by master weavers from all across central Asia.
But, where were these rugs first made?
As the name implies, Bokhara rugs were first made in the Bokhara region of what is now Uzbekistan by a tribe called Tekke. The region of Uzbekistan was prominent as a seat of Islamic scholarship in the early medieval period. During the first half of the 20th century, the name began being associated with the rugs of the Turkmen tribes.
The area that these rugs are made in has influenced the style of patterns that they have. The style is heavily inspired by Asian designs and gives them a traditional appearance through their geometric patterns.
Other tribes within the Bokhara region of Central Asia such as the Salor tribe influenced the designs of Bokhara rugs.
While in the past the designs of Bokhara rugs were only made by nomadic tribes, they are now made all across the weaving world. Some of the main countries that currently make handmade Bokhara rugs are Pakistan, India, Iran, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.
What Are Bokhara Rugs Made Of
Bokhara rugs are always made of 100% wool pile.
Today the wool is often a blend of New Zealand wool and Pakistani wool. The former is a silkier fiber, and the latter is coarser, which work together to create a beautiful complementary combination. When the two wool fibers are blended it makes a softer, luxurious, and durable rug.
The dyes used for Bokhara rugs are a combination of natural vegetable dyes and synthetic dyes. Typically, in bold hues of classical reds, greens, blues, ivory, gold, and rose that vary depending on what type of Bokhara rug it is.
The colors that the dyes create are often very traditional. This means that Bokhara rugs often have similar color schemes to other traditional handmade rugs that are made by professional carpet weavers in Central Asian countries.
Contrasting Construction
Bokhara rugs are almost always wool pile woven on either a wool or a cotton foundation.Â
New Zealand wool is commonly used in the construction and this gives the rugs a shiny, glossy appearance that looks similar to silk.
While Bokhara rugs are known for their thick, lush pile, this dense thickness can often detract from the design of the rug in that the outlines of the various design forms are blurry. So when you look for these types of rugs, you will essentially find that there are two qualities.
One is the rugs that are left thick for their luxuriant quality and the other is the single pile rugs that are closely clipped so their intricate designs are clearly visible with crisp, clean outlines. The design itself is versatile and can fit in with most interior decor styles.
Â
Identifying Bokhara Rugs
Bokhara rugs can sometimes be confused with Jaldar rugs because of the similarities in materials and designs. A few ways to tell the difference between the two is in the design of the guls.
In a Jaldar rug the guls are more angular and diamond shapes, whereas a Bokhara rug has more rounded guls that are more like Turkmen designs.
Other identifying features include the coloring, pile, and feeling of the carpets. The coloring of antique Bokhara rugs is often red with geometric patterns. The design typically has a frame that creates a border around the carpet’s field. The motifs are often guls, that are repeated across the carpets field as well as other tribal symbols that represent the daily life of local people.
The pile of a Bokhara rug is medium thickness and quite soft. This is because of the high-quality natural fibers that they are made of.
Bokhara Rugs: Plush, Colorful & Wonderfully Luxuriant
Pakistani Bokhara rugs have a few distinct characteristics that make them instantly recognizable. These hand knotted rugs have a dense pile, which gives them a wonderfully plush look and feel.
This luxuriance is further enhanced by a seemingly endless palette of colors, ranging from rich reds and vibrant greens to deep rusts and classic gold. The hallmark of a genuine Bokhara is the repetitive rows of stylized octagonal flowers called Gul.
While these rugs come in a wide array of colors, only a few select top colors are used in each individual rug. Although they look strikingly colorful, each Bokhara rug actually features less than six top colors.Â
It is in fact very rare to find a Bokhara rug that has more than six different top colors. Whatever colors are used are traditionally bold hues.
Red and rust fields are most common with other popular colors being ivory, teal, orange, black, green, rose, slate, peach and navy.
Distinctive Traditional Design
The traditional Bokhara design is a repetitive pattern consisting of rows of guls and surrounding geometrical patterns.Â
The gul design is basically a stylized octagonal flower. In all Bokhara rugs, the guls are arranged in uniform columns and rows in the field.Â
These motifs are usually slightly oblong and shapely, while still adhering to their basic geometric form. The similarity between the rugs ends there though.
Guls come in a wide assortment of forms and can vary in shape, color and design from one rug to another. The background colors and the color combinations also vary hugely, depending on the weaver’s personal interpretation.
Add to this the different methods of handknotting that are used in the construction of these rugs and what you have is a completely eclectic array of Bokhara rugs, each one completely different from the other.
In fact, despite the design dominance, no two rugs are exactly the same and therein lies the beauty of these dazzling hand knotted rugs.
Different Types Of Bokhara Rugs And Their Patterns
Although the main features remain similar, because they are woven by various nomadic tribes, there are variations in the shapes and the dyes of the guls.
The Yomut, Tekke and Salor tribes created some of the most popular types of Bokhara rugs that are in demand all over the world.
Here are some of the distinguishing features of the rugs created by each of these tribes.
• Salor Bokhara
One of the rarer varieties of Bokhara rugs, Salor Bokharas were manufactured by the Salor tribe who lived and traveled just North of the Afghan border. Salor Bokhara rugs are easily identifiable by their deep, rich shade of red.
Their patterns usually feature at least one row of symmetrical octagons with a smaller diamond or octagon shape within each border. Floral patterns fill the interiors of these shapes.
These rugs have a red field with two rows of octagonal guls running parallel down the length of the rug. The octagons themselves are elaborately designed, with one octagonal motif within another. The innermost octagon is divided into 4 quarters.
Tekke Bokhara
There are two types of Tekke Bokharas – Princess (prayer rugs) and Royal (non-prayer) rugs – each of which can be relatively easy to identify.
Princess Bokhara (Prayer) – These are primarily created as prayer rugs and their designs reflect this. The core of the rug features a hand-stitched mihrab that indicates the quibla wall, which points in the direction of the Kaaba in the holy city of Mecca.Â
The field of the rug is divided into 4 quarters by upright mihrabs with a separating crossbar. Dark indigo blue bands of patterns that resemble candlesticks adorn each of the quarters of the field.
• Royal Bokhara (none-Prayer) – The distinguishing feature of Royal Bokhara rugs is their windowpane design. This consists of several rows of elongated octagons that are joined together both vertically and horizontally. Blue lines that run vertically and horizontally cut the octagonal motifs into 4 quarters.Â
Yomud BokharaÂ
Created by the Yomud tribe that traveled across Central Asia, the designs found in Yomud Bokharas closely resemble Caucasian designs.
A deep red field created using Turkish or Persian style knots is the distinguishing feature of Bokhara rugs. The rug is usually divided into four parts by a beautiful Greek cross. A simple but beautiful white woven octagon is enclosed in each of the four parts.
 A Greek cross that divides the field into four parts is the most commonly seen Yomud design. Each of the quarters features a small white woven octagon.
Weaving Techniques Used
Most Bokhara rug weavers using the Ghordies knot or Senna to make their creations. Both of these are types of Turkish weaving techniques. This style of weaving adds to the durability of the rugs.
Care Tips For Your Bokhara Rug
To make sure that your Bokhara rug maintains its appearance for years to come it is important to take proper care of it!
The area where you place your rug can play a part in the amount of wear and tear it takes. Having your handmade rug in a high-traffic area or exposing it to direct sunlight for extended periods of time can lead to the deterioration of rug fibers and color fading.
For daily care, you want to make sure that you are brushing or vacuuming (with suction only) your rug regularly to prevent the build-up of dust and dirt.
Rotating them frequently can help to make sure that your rug is wearing evenly. If you are placing any furniture on the Bokhara rug make sure that there are no sharp corners that are going to damage the rug and where possible use furniture casters to protect the rug.
It is important to keep your rug away from moisture and make sure that it dries completely if it is to get wet. If it remains damp, it may develop mold which will damage the rug.
Full Wash
In general, a hand-knotted Bokhara rug should be professionally cleaned once every five to ten years. Doing this will ensure that it maintains its beautiful appearance for as long as possible and remove any deep-seated dirt and dust that may build up over time, even with regular care.
It is recommended that you use a professional rug cleaning service for your full cleaning because doing it yourself can lead to the rug being damaged and things like color mixing that can permanently affect the appearance of your rug.
How To Deal With A Spill
If you accidentally spill something on your Bokhara rug it is important to act quickly! First, you will need to blot the spill with a kitchen towel to soak up the liquid until it is dry.
To remove any remaining residue from a wool rug you can use a mixture of carpet shampoo, warm water, and a teaspoon of vinegar. Blot this mixture onto the spot until the residue is removed. Make sure to dry the rug as quickly as possible without using heat. Once your rug is dry, vacuum the rug.
How To Decorate With A Bokhara Rug
The warm color scheme of the rugs and deeply symbolic design make them a great choice to furnish a classically decorated home. Light-colored Bokhara rugs in icy greys and browns are a perfect choice to complement a Scandinavian or Nordic interior design style.
A Bokhara rug is the perfect choice to incorporate a touch of luxury that will warm up the room. Lending itself to an elegant and sophisticated style. This makes it the perfect addition to a family room or lounge because it brings a welcoming characteristic.
To enhance the beauty of the rug, light-colored furnishings are a great option to help draw the eye to the rug. This will allow the traditional colors to shine and create a showpiece within the room.
Typical Sizes Of Bokhara
Bokhara rugs come in a wide range of dimensions.
Smaller rugs can be found in these sizes: 2′ x 3′, 3′ x 5′, 4′ x 6′, and 5′ x 7′.
Medium Bokhara rugs can be found in 6′ x 9′ and 7′ x 10′ feet while larger rugs are available in 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′.
You can also find Bokhara runner rugs measuring anywhere between 2′ to 20′.
Their superior workmanship, timeless designs, attractive colors, and higher durability make Bokhara rugs a worthwhile investment. And with the wide range of sizes available, you know you can find one for just about any space, no matter how big or small.
Â
Bokhara Rugs: A Treat For The Eyes & For The Feet
When you see a Pakistani Bokhara rug, you’ll know it immediately. These rugs have a few unmistakable traits that make them unique and easily identifiable. The most prominent feature of a Bokhara rug is its design. The trademark style consists of geometric motifs called Guls, which usually appear in recurring rows. The background and the design elements are hand knotted using a wide array of deep, rich, vibrant colors that add to their charm and beauty. While in some rugs the pile is left longer than usual for a dense, lush look, in others the pile is trimmed to give the rugs a sharper, cleaner finish.
The Gul: A Hallmark Feature In Bokhara Rugs
The gul is essentially a stylized geometric motif with eight sides. The shape tends to be more oblong rather an even-sided octagonal shape. Within that basic definition, there are several variations in size, shape, design and color combinations so that it is extremely rare to see two rugs with the same gul design.
Even the way they are placed can differ widely, with the columns and rows placed at diversely spaced intervals and other design elements scattered in between.
Designing a Bokhara Rug
When you consider that the construction and design of a Bokhara rug is governed by very definite guidelines, the sheer variety of rugs available is amazing. This stems from the fact that these rugs are hand knotted and as such, how they turn out really depends upon the weaver’s personal style. The weavers play around with various color combinations together with differently styled guls to give the finished piece a look that is distinctive from all others. Different weavers use different hand knotting styles, adding to the uniqueness of the finished Bokhara rug.
Selective Use Of Colors
In addition to the characteristic gul design, another very distinguishing attribute of Bokhara rugs is the way the colors are used. Each individual rug actually features only 5 to 6 top colors. Very rarely will a Bokhara rug feature more top colors than that. Weavers select their colors very creatively so that when woven in, anybody looking at the finished rug would hardly ever notice that only limited colors have been used in the creation of the rug. In fact, the finished rugs look so colorful with their bold shades and clever interplay of colors that they seem to be woven using numerous colors. Colors most commonly used in Bokhara rugs include red, orange, rust, black, teal, navy, peach, green, slate and rose.
Diverse Constructions Add To The Variety
The foundation of Bokhara rugs is usually cotton or wool and so is the pile. The final finish of the rugs depends on the origin of the wool used to weave the pile. Wool that is sourced from local regions give the rugs a more rustic appearance whereas wool imported from countries such as New Zealand gives the rugs a more lustrous appearance.
The length of the pile also adds character to these rugs. Rugs with a longer pile are denser and softer but tend to compromise the integrity of the design whereas the design outlines are more clearly demarcated in rugs with a shorter pile.