Gajari Flatweave Rug, Uzbekistan

Red stripes, dark stripes, and a procession of small diamonds and hooks marching between them.

This gajari flatweave rug comes from Uzbekistan, 20th century, made of wool. Gajari are generally woven in long narrow strips, then sewn together, a practical method for weavers working on small looms, and they were used as floor and tent coverings in Central Asian households. Bright madder red dominates here, alternating with bands of indigo-black. Between them, panels of ochre and red hold ivory and dark diamonds, combs and hooked shapes. A little over four and a half feet wide and over seven long.

Nobody ever accused it of being shy.