See:http://www.rugreview.com/stuf/afgwar.htm for a remarcble site devoted to the rugs from afgahnistan, devoted to the Soviet invasion (well, if you like - the friendly socialist help from Moscow).
Few examples:
Under the banner of Marxism-Leninism, under the leadership of the Communist Party--forward to new victories in the construction of communism!
09-27-2002, 05:41 PM (This post was last modified: 09-28-2002, 12:11 AM by Ed_Haynes.)
Such rugs, called "tanki" in that APCs and other armored vehicles are often included in the design, used to be widely available throughout South Asia and even in the Arabian Gulf, but they passed out of production under the Taliban. I have even seen -- but was unable to acquire -- some with Red Banner designs and guards badges. Tanki rugs have now come back into manufacture, mainly for sale to the ISAF (popularly known as the "International Shopping Assistance Force" on Kabul's famous Chicken Street -- where the ISAF boys and girls have also driven medal prices SKY-HIGH, but equally high on the rare and common alike!).
So, like medals, I guess we have a problem of faking here?
And I have some ORIGINALS of the rugs! (Though I haven't yet gotten their certificates from Paul. . . .)
I remember seeing one of these on "Antiques Roadshow" about a year ago. They were very subtle, but woven in small designs were AK-47's mingled among other patterns. It took a sharp eye to see them, which the appraiser did.
