Baluch rug

Baluch Rug: Deep Colors and Nomadic Geometry from Eastern Iran

Baluch rugs are perhaps the most iconic of all nomadic Persian carpets, woven by the Baluch tribes in northeastern Iran, particularly in the villages of Khorasan and other Baluch-inhabited regions near the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Known for their deep, earthy color palette—dominated by shades of dark red, indigo blue, and black—Baluch rugs are among the darkest-toned handmade carpets in Iran. Their formats are typically more elongated and narrow, making them ideal for hallways and long spaces. While the Baluch people originally hailed from southwestern Iran, most Baluch rug weaving today occurs in the northeast, often by communities that migrated generations ago. Interestingly, rug weaving is largely absent among Baluch tribes in Pakistan and only minimally present in Afghan Baluch groups near the Iranian border.

These rugs are usually woven from 100% handspun Baluchi wool, prized for its softness and durability. The designs are geometric, heavily influenced by Turkmen motifs, yet with a looser, more improvisational structure. Unlike the strict symmetry found in classic Turkmen carpets, Baluch rugs exhibit a freer, more expressive design language, reflecting the nomadic spirit and spontaneity of their makers.

Whether used as tribal wall hangings, floor runners, or collector’s pieces, Baluch rugs offer a compelling blend of authentic tribal identity and bold visual character, standing out in any space that values depth, history, and craft.