Bokara rug origins
A rich history of weaving Woven since the 17th century, the Bokhara rug is named after the ancient city of Bokhara, which was once a thriving trade hub along the Silk Road.
The city, a key cultural and commercial centre of Central Asia, forms a part of modern-day Uzbekistan, and played an important role in the region’s artistic heritage, particularly in the production of textiles.
The earliest antique Bokhara rugs are attributed to the nomadic Turkmen tribes, particularly the Tekke, Yomut, and Chodor tribes.
These early rugs were used as tents, wall hangings, or floor coverings, offering warmth and protection from the elements.
Often, the hand knotted Bokhara rugs also served as a symbol of status and wealth within the communities.
By the 19th century, when the Silk Road trade routes were in decline, wool Bokhara rugs became highly sought after in Europe and in the West, where their intricate patterns were highly prized.
Many of the traditional techniques that created those early rugs are still used today.
Modern-day Bokhara rugs are a beautiful piece of history to bring into your home, and many collectors seek out these carpets as investments, as Bokhara rug value can increase over time.
What is a Bokhara Persian rug?
A Bokhara rug is a specific kind of Persian carpet with roots in modern-day Uzbekistan.
The Bokhara rug pattern is known for intricate, repeating guls, and for the distinctive use of red, yellow, green, and blue.
These colours correspond with specific meanings in Islamic and Persian culture, and are chosen for the symbolism and story they tell, as much as for their beauty.
A Persian Bokhara rug can remain in a family for over a hundred years, passed from father to daughter.
How to identify a Bokhara rug?
One of the hallmarks of any rug from this area of the world is quality—Bokhara rugs, like Persian rugs, are often hand knotted from high-quality wool.
This can be identified by the softness and quality of the wool, as well as by the backs of the rugs, which will have a noticeable texture.
Unlike cheap imitation rugs from department stores, these patterns are woven in hand-dyed wools, rather than screen printed onto a polyester blend.
Specifically, Bokhara rugs may have anywhere from 100 to 400 knots per square inch, depending on the type and quality. It’s possible to count these knots when looking at the back of the carpet.
Bokhara collection rugs also have a very detailed pattern, which is specific to the part of the world in which these carpets were created. These are called ‘guls,’ and look like a repeating diamond pattern, usually in deep red, yellow, green, and blue.
Additionally, a Bokhara rug antique will have maintained a beautiful patina due to the use of naturally derived dyes, which are not as susceptible to fading as synthetic dyes.
Bokhara rug prices vary, but you should be wary of highly affordable rugs, as these are coveted, premium carpets, and should come with a price tag that reflects the work that goes into their creation.
Types of Bokhara rugs
Tekke Bokhara rugs
Tekke Bokhara rugs are known for their gul medallion pattern, which features diamond-shaped motifs with a central design repeated throughout the rug.
These are often red Bokhara rugs, and are made from wool with a dense pile.
Beshir Bokhara rugs
Woven by the Beshir tribe, a subset of the Turkmen people, Beshir Bokhara rugs usually feature intricate, geometric patterns with bold designs.
The gul pattern is also common, but the style and colours may vary.
The most common colours of these Bokhara rugs are shades of red, burgundy, and crimson.
Yomut Bokhara rugs
Woven by the Yomut tribe of Turkmenistan, Yomut Bokhara rugs feature gul patterns with fine, detailed borders, often incorporating smaller repeating motifs.
These rugs tend to have a more fine weave than Tekke or Beshir rugs, with a smoother texture.
A Yomut Bokhara rug may also have softer tones, which could mean blue Bokhara rugs and green Bokhara rugs, as well as ivory and the traditional red.
Afghan Bokhara rugs
Afghan Bokhara rugs often use a design derived from the gul motif, but with a simpler pattern compared to other Bokharas.
These rugs frequently have a darker, more subdued palette with earthy tones like brown, maroon, and gold.
The quality of the wool in Afghan Bokhara rugs is often rougher than those made in other regions, making them ideal for use in high-traffic areas.
Chodor Bokhara rugs
The Chodor tribe of Turkmenistan first wove these rugs featuring a similar pattern to other Bokharas, but often have bold geometric motifs on a deep red background with borders that highlight intricate details.
Saryk Bokhara rugs
Woven by the Saryk tribe, a subgroup of the Turkmen people, Saryk Bokhara rugs feature simpler and more stylised motifs with repeating geometric patterns like diamonds and hexagons.
These are generally smaller than other Bokhara rugs.
Transoxiana Bokhara rugs
The region historically known as Transoxiana, which spans parts of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, is responsible for Transoxiana rugs, which often blend Persian and Central Asian elements.
Featuring rich, detailed patterns and vibrant colours, these royal Bokhara rugs are valued for their intricate motifs and deluxe feel, often woven with high-quality wool or silk.
Importers of authentic Bokhara rugs in Australia
Starting from humble beginnings, our family business has been importing and selling the highest quality handmade Persian and Bokhara rugs in Australia for over 30 years.
Here at KnotNCo we are passionate about bringing you hand crafted rugs from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India and Türkiye.
We look forward to bringing you a beautiful Bokhara rug that will be part of your home for generations.
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