Gajari Flatweave Rug, Uzbekistan

Narrow strips, sewn side by side, and no two of them behaving alike.

This gajari flatweave rug comes from Uzbekistan and dates to the 20th century, woven in wool. Weavers in Central Asia often made long, narrow strips on small looms and sewed them together, a practical way of building a large cover for floors or bedding from portable work. Chevrons, hooked columns and big stepped diamonds run in vertical bands of red, black, tan and cream. Partway along several strips, the pattern changes abruptly. A small striped section interrupts one band near the end. It is about five feet wide and a little over six long.

Consistency was somebody else's job.