Beshir Rugs

Learn More About Tribal Afghan Antique Beshir Rugs

Beshir Rugs – The Beshirs produced their rugs in the Khanate of Bokhara. Unlike other Turkoman tribes, the Beshir pursued a distinct weaving style. Featuring bright colors and less geometric designs, antique rugs from the Beshir tribe feature large motifs and stylized flowers. Placing an emphasis on floral patterns and all over designs, these antique rugs are heavily sought after because of their distinct style.

Beshir rugs are made by the Beshir tribe, one of several subdivisions of the Ersari group of Turkoman people, who inhabit the Amu Darya Valley in Turkmenistan and parts of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. While Turkoman tribes came into this region as early as the 11th century A.D., the Beshir were part of a later group who came into the Amu Darya region in the 17th century after being forced out of their homeland in the Balkans by political turmoil.

Because their origin is separate from other peoples in the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan area, the rugs they manufacture have a distinct style. While there is variation among Ersari rugs, as a group they are so distinct that attribution is seldom a problem, and the tribal subdivisions such as Beshir are also readily identifiable.

Beshir rugs are finely knotted, typically having 60 to 160 knots per square inch. The foundation is usually wool, though some of the Afghan Beshir use a mixture of wool and goat’s hair. In contrast to other Turkoman groups, the Beshir do not use guls (tribal emblems) as the basis of their designs. Instead, Beshir rugs feature all-over repeating patterns with images taken from nature, such as leaves, vines and sometimes animals.

Beshir rugs are also distinct in coloring. While Turkoman rugs generally are dominated by deep reds and blues, Beshir rugs often place these shades alongside lighter, happier colors. The result is a vital, exuberant look that stands in sharp contrast to the sober tones of some other Turkoman rugs.