{"product_id":"afghan-aqcha-door-mat-4","title":"Afghan Aqcha Door Mat","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe History \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese rugs are produced in the town of \u003cem\u003eAqcha\u003c\/em\u003e, located in northern Afghanistan, near the cities of \u003cem\u003eSheberghan\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMazari-Sharif\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eAndkhoy\u003c\/em\u003e. They are primarily woven by the \u003cem\u003eErsari \u003c\/em\u003etribe, a nomadic \u003cem\u003eTurkmen \u003c\/em\u003epeople.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCraftsmanship \u0026amp; Texture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAqcha rugs are one of the original Afghan rugs which have the characteristic deep red (from madder root extract) and dark blue\/black colour. However, newer designs are being woven with different bold colours such as blue, green and orange. Although these rugs have a lower knot count than more finer rugs, they have a relatively thicker and dense pile which provides a softer texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotif \u0026amp; Design Symbolism\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey use the symmetrical Turkish (\u003cem\u003eGhiordes\u003c\/em\u003e) knot and the design is well known for it's 'elephant foot' design - large, repeated octagonal motifs. The border often consists of smaller floral and geometric motifs including 'almond' motifs, representing a sweet harvest. Despite their nomadic roots, these rugs' designs are more standardised and less free-form than other tribal rugs like \u003cem\u003eBaluch \u003c\/em\u003eor \u003cem\u003eGabbeh \u003c\/em\u003erugs. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/9350\/1054\/files\/Balkh_Province.png?v=1787783121\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57934903050622,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/9350\/1054\/files\/IMG_9027_ae7fbd48-deec-4b7e-b145-13b986d39adc.jpg?v=1787957524","url":"https:\/\/www.khorasanrugs.co.uk\/products\/afghan-aqcha-door-mat-4","provider":"Khorasan Rugs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}