This is a lovely Afghan Baluch rug from the mid 1980s with very little negative space with rows of tanks, bombs and grenades on a dark blue background. The pile is even, the rug is soft and in great condition. Images from this rug depict the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

Afghan weavers have been incorporating images of war into their rugs since the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979, and this has continued through subsequent military, political and social conflicts. The rugs produced in response to these events are among the world's richest traditions of war art of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. These rugs are distinctive in their ability to capture and convey their makers' experiences and interpretations of the circumstances and politics of war and conflict in the region.

While newer, made for the tourist market rugs are easy to find (and generally made in Pakistan), authentic older war rugs with more subtle motifs such as this are increasingly rare to find.