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✦ War on rugs ✦

Genuine Afghan war rugs.Handwoven. One of each.

Bought straight from the families who've been weaving them for generations. Then sold by us, the last and least important cog in this steam engine.

# Seen a rug on Instagram? Type its number, like , and we'll take you straight to it.

See what's in All war rugs
Pink Afghan war rug titled The Fall of Afghanistan, dated 16 August 2021, on floorboards

Tap the numbers. Every war rug tells a story.

As featured in THE VERGE “I was blown away that an American guy would have a copyright on an Afghan rug.” Aaron, in The Verge, June 2022
  • Out the door in 24 hoursInsured and tracked, anywhere on the planet
  • Free delivery in VictoriaAnywhere in the state
  • 30 days to change your mindFull refund, you cover return postage
  • Genuine, handmade, fairBought from the weaving families
In the warehouse now

Every one is one of a kind.

Every rug is handmade, so even when Aaron re-orders a design it comes back slightly different. Every rug below is the real thing, photographed as it arrived. Hover over one on a computer to see its back and its tag.

See all war rugs
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2151, 316 x 204 cmThe back of rug 2151 with its size tagThe back#2151

War Rug #2151

316 x 204 cm · 6.4 m²$3,620$3,620View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2149, 163 x 102 cmThe back of rug 2149 with its size tagThe back#2149

War Rug #2149

163 x 102 cm · 1.7 m²$285$285View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2102, 128 x 82 cmThe back of rug 2102 with its size tagThe back#2102

War Rug #2102

128 x 82 cm · 1.0 m²$475$475View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2096, 147 x 89 cmThe back of rug 2096 with its size tagThe back#2096

War Rug #2096

147 x 89 cm · 1.3 m²$653$653View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2105, 134 x 85 cmThe back of rug 2105 with its size tagThe back#2105

War Rug #2105

134 x 85 cm · 1.1 m²$355$355View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2084, 208 x 146 cmThe back of rug 2084 with its size tagThe back#2084

War Rug #2084

208 x 146 cm · 3.0 m²$885$885View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2115, 207 x 113 cmThe back of rug 2115 with its size tagThe back#2115

War Rug #2115

207 x 113 cm · 2.3 m²$864$864View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2097, 140 x 92 cmThe back of rug 2097 with its size tagThe back#2097

War Rug #2097

140 x 92 cm · 1.3 m²$554$554View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2120, 160 x 95 cmThe back of rug 2120 with its size tagThe back#2120

War Rug #2120

160 x 95 cm · 1.5 m²$700$700View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2123, 145 x 95 cmThe back of rug 2123 with its size tagThe back#2123

War Rug #2123

145 x 95 cm · 1.4 m²$427$427View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2108, 143 x 90 cmThe back of rug 2108 with its size tagThe back#2108

War Rug #2108

143 x 90 cm · 1.3 m²$660$660View this rug
Handmade Afghan war rug number 2101, 202 x 114 cmThe back of rug 2101 with its size tagThe back#2101

War Rug #2101

202 x 114 cm · 2.3 m²$1,165$1,165View this rug
Orange Afghan war rug number 2084 covered in tanks, helicopters and jets #2084
Aaron's pick of the week

#2084, the orange one

Bright orange and absolutely packed. Tanks, choppers and jets going every which way. Big enough to run a living room.

Aaron

Size
208 x 146 cm
Floor area
3.0 m²
Woven in
Afghanistan
How many
Only this one
$885 $885
Buy #2084Text Aaron about it
Measure twice

Shop by size

Every listing has the exact size in centimetres, written on the back in Aaron's own hand. Start with the space you've got.

SmallDoormats and side of bed LargeLiving rooms and dining HugeBig rooms, big statement RunnersHallways and kitchens Under $100Small rugs, small prices
Pick your story

Shop by what's woven

Tanks, towers, drones, maps. War rugs are history you can stand on.

Everything in stock
War Rugs at Silver TongueWar RugsAfghanistan, then and now Ukraine War Rugs at Silver TongueUkraine War RugsUkraine, in wool 9/11 Rugs at Silver Tongue9/11 RugsThe towers, in wool Afghan Rugs at Silver TongueAfghan RugsHandmade, from the source Non War Rugs at Silver TongueNon War RugsAnimals, birds and pattern Antique & Vintage Rugs at Silver TongueAntique & Vintage RugsOlder pieces, one of each Masks at Silver TongueMasksAntique and vintage Soviet Posters at Silver TongueSoviet PostersOriginal, not reprints
Too good to walk on?

Hang it on the wall

Plenty of war rugs never touch the floor. They go up like the folk art they are: above a sofa, down a hallway, behind the bar.

  • Batten and hook and loop tape stitched along the top edge. Holds flat, no holes in the rug.
  • A rod and rug clips for a quick, no sew option.
  • Out of direct sun so the colours stay loud.

Shown: #2105, straightened from Aaron's photo to show how it hangs.

Small rugs for walls
The cabinet

The stranger the better

Soviet prison made pipes and combs, carved between the 1950s and the fall of the USSR. Original Soviet posters. Masks, carvings and oddities from every corner of the planet. Aaron's always hunting, so there's usually something new to catch the eyeball.

Open the cabinet
Vintage Carved Demon-Head Smoking Pipe – Soviet Prison Art

Demon head pipe

Soviet prison art$122 $122View
Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Puzzle Box with Dragon & Serpent Motifs – c.1900

Dragon puzzle box

China, c.1900$436 $436View
Vintage Soviet WWII Commemorative Matchbox Set – 1945–1975 Victory Anniversary

Soviet WWII matchbox set

1945 to 1975 anniversary$188 $188View
Antique Japanese Hand-Carved Boxwood Wild Cat Sculpture on Root Base – c.1890

Boxwood wild cat carving

Japan, c.1890$1,525 $1,525View
Drone Rugs Traditional War Rugs Moroccan Rugs Kilim Rugs Beni Ourain Rugs Azilal Rugs Unique Rugs Antiques Soviet Posters Vintage Items Vintage Furniture Unique Items Silver Tongue T-Shirts Tote Bags Gift Card All Products
Too slow

Already gone

These ones found new floors. Love one of them? Text Aaron, he can often get a similar design in.

Sold war rug number 2122GONE#2122 Sold war rug number 2112GONE#2112 Sold war rug number 2091GONE#2091 Sold war rug number 2090GONE#2090 Sold war rug number 1056GONE#1056 Sold war rug number 1010GONE#1010
First dibs

See new rugs 24 hours before everyone else

Every new batch goes to the list a day early. One rug, one buyer. Get on it.

No guesswork

Buying a rug online, the easy way

  1. 1

    See every side

    Eight or more of Aaron's own photos per rug: front, back, close ups and the tag with its size.

  2. 2

    Ask Aaron anything

    Want another photo or a closer look? Text him on 0480 551 167. He's quick.

  3. 3

    Out the door in 24 hours

    Insured and tracked to anywhere in the world. Free anywhere in Victoria.

  4. 4

    30 days to be sure

    Not right in your room? Send it back within 30 days for a full refund.

A grey Afghan war runner laid over a red war rug on the floor Where it started
Our story

From one rug to over 2,000

About five years ago Aaron bought a single Afghan war rug online, purely out of curiosity. Then he ordered 30. Then 45. It's been, in the best way, completely bonkers. We started in London and moved the whole operation, every rug included, to Melbourne in 2023.

This has never been a warehouse full of staff. Aaron builds film sets by day, Alexia runs all the shipping, and there are three kids under six in the mix. In 2022 The Verge told the story of the American dealer who tried to claim copyright over Afghan drone rugs, and how Aaron appealed every takedown.

“Nothing here is mass produced or reproduced. Every piece has been selected and imported by myself.”

Stoically yours, Aaron

Read the full story

5% of every sale, and 100% of every Palestine rug, goes to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.

Every donation is documented. The receipts sit in the highlights on our Instagram, so you can check for yourself.

See the donations
The Silver Tongue shop window at night, lettered War Rugs and Rare Antiques Red flowers, stone vases and small cherub statues on a shelf in the shop
Come and visit

The shop is open in Preston

Every rug, poster and oddity on this site, in one room. Come and walk on them before you buy.

Where
221 Gilbert Rd, Preston VIC 3072
Open
Thursday to Sunday, 10:30am to 6:30pm
Ask first
Text 0480 551 167 if you want a piece put aside
Get directionsText Aaron
Don't take our word for it

What buyers say

5.0★★★★★Google reviews131★★★★★Etsy sales, 5 star shop
★★★★★
Amazing rugs, dealing with Aaron was a delight. He is always quick to respond and more than accommodating with order changes. These rugs are much better than the photos show.
Maria G. ordered from Spain
★★★★★
Had some troubles with the state of the world and shipping but they got it figured out and handled everything with the utmost professionalism and care, excellent folks.
Andrew C. Google review
★★★★★
Had some issues with postage, but the seller was great with keeping me updated and rectified the issue quickly. Has some excellent items, 10/10 would recommend.
Josh L. Google review
Good to know

Questions, answered

Still deciding? Text Aaron on 0480 551 167.

What is a war rug?

A hand knotted Afghan rug that weaves in the tanks, helicopters, guns, maps and drones of four decades of war, alongside the traditional patterns. Every one is made by hand, so no two are the same.

Where do the rugs come from?

From weaving families in Afghanistan and Pakistan, through two trusted suppliers. We always pay a fair price, and we're assured it's passed on fairly to the people who make them.

How fast will it arrive?

We aim to get every order out the door within 24 hours. Insured and tracked, to anywhere in the world as far as we're aware, with express options. Free anywhere in Victoria.

What if it doesn't suit my room?

Send it back within 30 days for a full refund. You cover the return postage.

Can I see a rug in person?

Yes. The shop is at 221 Gilbert Rd, Preston, open Thursday to Sunday, 10:30am to 6:30pm. Text Aaron first if you want a piece put aside.

What currency are the prices in?

Australian dollars.

Aaron is always waiting for youText him a question Top