BALUCHI

The Baluchi, or Beluchi are a nomadic people living in a vast area that straddles Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their rugs, which are usually small, are knotted entirely in wool and have tribal and stylized patterns developed mainly in dark colours. One of the main nuclei of this population lives in the Khorasan region of Iran, around the towns Torbat-e-Heydarieh and Torbat-e-Jam, in the vicinity of Mashad, which is one of the main trading centres for their rugs. Baluchi rugs are not expensive, and they are extremely attractive because of their deep colours and genuineness. One of the most popular patterns is the "prayer" rug: the field is outlined in mihrabs, usually on a light background and there are often two open hands in the corner-pieces to indicate the direction of Mecca. The Baluchi call this pattern pandjeh, palm of the hand, because the fingers are meant to remind the faithful of the Five Pillars of Islam. Often the mihrab is decorated with a tree: it has a central trunk thing branches that end in multifoiled  leaves. Even through the natural elements - leaves and vines - are simplified and stylized the Baluchi succeed in rendering them extremely realistically.