Afghan Baluch rug, 1'11"x9'4", in runner configuration, done in mixed technique of knotted pile, weft float brocade (see below) and sumak flatweave construction (see below), c. 1950-60s. This piece, which Afghan dealers call berjiste, is a veritable sampler of Baluch weaving techniques. On the field are knotted pile panels containing three diamonds centered by Maltese crosses. These panels are enclosed in compartments done in sumak technique. The minor borders and flatwoven end skirts display decoration executed in Sumak technique (see below).
Sumak is a flatweave technique wherein wefts wrap around several warps on the horizontal plane. Viewed from the back one can see the loose warp ends. The image above is a direct scan of sumak on both the face and the back of another rug.
