Vintage Afghan Bokhara Design Rug — 1960s | 3'10" x 5'10"

Seven horizontal bands stack down the field of this vintage Afghan rug, each one carrying five crested birds with fanned, angular tails. Thirty-five in all, drawn in the confident, simplified line of tribal weaving, with tiny triangular motifs floating between them like seeds scattered on the ground.

Thin striped bars divide band from band, and the ground color shifts as you move down the rug: camel and salmon, deep chocolate, brick red, dusty rose. The rhythm is deliberate but never stiff, the way hand-drawn designs move.

A main border of square tiles, each holding a key-like motif in red, rose, and navy, frames the field. Ivory and navy sawtooth guard stripes run inside and out, sharpening every edge. The natural wool and silk pile gives the palette a soft, warm depth.

At 3'10" × 5'10", it is a versatile accent size for entryways, bedsides, reading nooks, and home offices, and its graphic bands make it just as striking hung on a wall.

Bokhara takes its name from Bukhara, the historic Silk Road city that was once a major market for Turkmen rugs. Over time, the name became a broad trade term for rugs woven in the Turkmen tradition, including those made in northern Afghanistan.

Most Bokhara design rugs repeat the octagonal gul across a red field. Afghan weavers also reworked the tradition, producing pieces with animals and birds drawn from a shared Central Asian vocabulary. Birds recur across tribal weaving in the region, often read as symbols of good fortune and happiness. This rug was woven in Afghanistan in the 1960s.

Turkmen and Bokhara rugs remain a favorite with collectors for their bold, recognizable design and durable wool. Learn more in our guide to rug styles for collectors.

Huma is the legendary bird of Persian and Dari lore, a bird of fortune said never to touch the ground. Tradition holds that anyone its shadow falls on is blessed with good luck. In Afghanistan, Huma is also a cherished given name.

The name suits a rug that carries thirty-five birds across its field, every band a small flock of good fortune passing overhead.

Huma captures the Afghan Bokhara tradition at its most playful: rooted in Central Asian weaving, rich in color, and free to take flight.

• Primary material: Natural wool and silk
• Construction: Hand-knotted
• Condition: Vintage, preloved with mid pile
• Made in: Afghanistan

Please note: this rug is preloved and has a mid pile, meaning the wool has worn down somewhat from its original height through years of use.

Photos can't fully capture the depth of its color, which is richer in person.

The rug has been professionally washed and treated, and was individually inspected before leaving our warehouse. It is ready for immediate in-home use.

Vacuum gently using suction only. Avoid beater bars and rotating brushes.

Use a quality rug pad to improve stability and reduce movement.

Rotate periodically to encourage even wear. For deep cleaning, consult a professional rug specialist experienced with hand-knotted wool and silk rugs.

Why is this a Bokhara design if it has birds instead of guls?
Bokhara is a broad trade name for rugs woven in the Turkmen tradition of Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Most Bokhara design rugs feature repeating octagonal guls. This piece carries the Bokhara name but trades the gul for banded rows of birds, a pictorial take on the tradition.

What does mid pile mean?
The wool has worn down somewhat from its original height through years of use, but it still has a soft, even surface. It is a natural part of a vintage rug's character.

Is it ready for use?
Yes. It has been professionally washed and treated and is ready for immediate placement in your home.