One of my favorite productions from the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan is called Khal Mohammadi. I am puzzled about where their designs spring from. They are recognizably Turkmen in character, but unlike any Turkmen designs I have seen.
Khal Mohammadi rugs are characterized by their usually coppery-colored fields, by their highly lustrous finish, their usually clean, neat, and tidy appearance, and by the decorative, flat-woven finish on either end. Typically, they are heavier-bodied and finer-knotted than Kampbaff rugs. They are, to me, a welcome departure from the typical red, large-gul Afghan rugs that for decades were almost the only Turkmen rugs available.
Like so many of the rugs in the market now that I admire, just ten or fifteen years ago they weren’t made. Most sizes are available, though it is very hard to find a true 8 by 10 or 9 by 12.
For the past two years we have seen in the market a small production of a variant Khal Mohammadi. These are finer knotted than their cousins and are woven with what is said to be Beljik (Belgian) wool.
Belgian wool? Perhaps. They look to me to be made from New Zealand wool. In any case, they are lustrous and very-impressive. They cost about twice as much as regular Khal Mohammadis.
These ARE very cool rugs. Definitely a notch or two outside of ‘the pack’. My own Khal Mohammadi (named ‘Copper’, by my ever-insightful wife) at approx. 10′X14′ has a tribal sensibility almost shrieking from that indigo colored, field of disjointed vines! Even though the larger size makes me wonder how hard it must have been to possibly weave that big girl - on the ground? These rugs have a great, excellent wool, sorta ‘floppy’ handle, and should become collectible someday……
I have just bought a Khal Mahammadi- 3.5 x 2.5m. Belgian wool I am told. $12,000. Is that too much? I have ripples. The sellers spent 3 days trying to get them out. Many were removed but many remain. Should I demand a rippleless rug? Please tell about ripples. Why they are there and do they reflect a poor quality rug. Should we ask for a replacement?
Mal,
In my opinion that is just about $9000 over what a Khal Mohammadi should cost. If the carpet is defective, (ripples)you should demand your money back and go elsewhere for your carpet needs.
Yes, in Afghanistan you can buy it for $400. Sorry. Get your money back.
Just bought one myself good to hear some history on them. Looks great in my entry way hall. I paid 1100 for mine.
I bought a rug labelled Khal Mohammadi.I see identical type designs labelled Khan Mohammadi.Are these the same or quite different? Thanks.
Gretz from Sweden. I second that, Bill McReynolds… and I really sorry Mal Ramsey who’s became a victim of the sleaziness of the trade. Mind u that sleaziness is a fairly mild expression considering the depth of the worldwide corruption the carpet trade seems to be infected by.
I’m a rookie in these matters and new to dealing with rugs & carpets but I sure would like to clean-up in this abysmal of decay and corruption. It’s a shame that the beauty of handmade (-wowen) rugs and carpets are beeing soiled by greed and stupidity. Well, I got carried away here, sorry! Thanks all for sharing your knowledge, coz I need it.
When I worked in India, rug wallahs also called these carpets “ankhooee”. Have you heard this term for a Khal Mohammadi?
Hi Mal. I think I can help here. I’ve traded in Afghan rugs for 30 years so hopefully should make sense.
First Khal Mohammadi and Khan Mohammadi are the same thing though strictly speaking Khal is correct.
Reading between the lines it looks like you are not looking at a Khal Mohommadi but a rug I know as a Belgique. They are quite different. The Belgique is much more finely knotted with high quality wool imported from Belgium. A Belgique is a high value carpet and I have one on my stock about 370 x 270 for about £4000. That would be around $6000 US so looks like yours is a over priced.
In very fine rugs it is extremely difficult to remove ripples so I would walk away my friend. They could make it flat but the buckling comes back the first time it’s washed.
This is a great site for rug fans. I hope to visit Emmetts store when I come to the USA next July?
David,
I think what they were referring to is Andkhoy, a town in northern Afghanistan where many of these pieces are woven. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andkhoy
We have a Bokhara and Mashad but this was sold to me as a Belouch. Any info and is it signed(the circled area)
Always go to a reputable dealer with a name they must keep up. And I have been told good rugs are never on sale. If they have reduced the price it wasn’t what they were asking in the first place.