Guide
Bokhara Rug Guide: Turkmen, Mauri and Yusuf Bayi Rugs from Afghanistan
Rows of octagon guls on a rich field. Where the name comes from, the main kinds and how to choose one.
Why they are called Bokhara
Bokhara (Bukhara) is a historic trading city in Uzbekistan. Turkmen tribal rugs were sold through its markets, so buyers began calling them Bokhara rugs, even though they were woven by Turkmen tribes across Central Asia.
Today Bokhara is a design name for any rug with rows of Turkmen guls, the octagon medallions each tribe used as its own mark.
Bokhara rugs from Afghanistan
Many of the finest Turkmen gul rugs today are hand-knotted in northern Afghanistan, around Andkhoy, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kunduz. Look for names such as Mauri, Yusuf Bayi and Khal Mohammadi, all part of the same family.
Mauri, Yusuf Bayi and Turkmen: what is the difference?
Mauri rugs, named after the old city of Merv, are the finest: small knots, crisp guls and a silky pile.
Yusuf Bayi (sometimes labeled Yusufi) is a classic Afghan Turkmen design with rows of bold guls in deep reds and dark blues.
Plain "Turkmen" or "Bokhara" usually means a sturdy everyday grade with the same look at a lower price.
How to choose a good one
Check the back: hand-knotted rugs show every knot, and finer rugs show smaller ones. The guls should be sharp and evenly spaced, and the wool should feel soft with a natural shine.
Red is the classic field color, but you will also find navy, rust, green, gold and ivory, which suit lighter rooms.
Sizes and rooms
Bokhara rugs come from small 2x3 mats to 9x12 and larger, plus runners. Their repeating pattern works in any orientation, so they suit dining rooms, living rooms, offices and halls.
Questions
Where are Bokhara rugs made?
Bokhara is a trade name. Most new Bokhara rugs are hand-knotted by Turkmen weavers in northern Afghanistan and in Pakistan; the name comes from the Uzbek city where Turkmen rugs were once sold.
What is a Mauri rug?
A finely knotted Afghan Turkmen rug named after the old city of Merv, with small, crisp guls and a silky pile.
What is a Yusuf Bayi rug?
A classic Afghan Turkmen design, sometimes labeled Yusufi, with rows of bold guls in deep reds and dark blues.
Do you sell Bokhara rugs?
Yes. We import hand-knotted Bokhara, Mauri and Turkmen rugs directly from Afghanistan, with free insured U.S. shipping and two showrooms in Chicago and Evanston.