The picture here is of an Afghan rug bought by Ted Jefferies in Kabul in 1968, for the equivalent of 5 pounds sterling at that time. It was inexpensive, because the vendor said that the maker had run out of wool before completing it, and indeed, you can see that the two ends are of different lengths. It has, for the past 14 years, been on the direct walkway through the hall in the house and you can see how tough it is and how well it has withstood the traffic.
It is worth supporting Afghan art and culture at the moment. In 2008 they have had the worst winter for many years, and folk have been dying of the cold, and losing limbs through frostbite. If we all buy Afghan art, perhaps they will not need to grow so many poppies for heroin production.
1 comment:
Perhaps a mat for praying dishonors the deity if the ends are of different lengths? I see no fault with it as a decorative and useful object. It's very attractive.
Where does one go to buy Afghan objects of art? I think I've seen small rugs at Ikea (which goes to some trouble to avoid carrying products manufactured by small children, etc.) Unfortunately there the profit goes to the middle man. What's needed is a co-op arrangement.
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