Till the third quarter of the 20th century, Afghanistan was producing rugs closely connected in style with the weavings of the Turcoman. When mentioning the Afghan production, one did expect rugs with several shades of red dyes and black octagonal patterns. When they became old or antique, they turned rusty brown.
In the fifties, “antique wash” was very much in fashion as the chemical process was altering colours. The red colours were changed into shiny bronze. So, after washing the traditional Afghan rugs became “Golden Afghans”.
But it was a temporary fashion. At the dawn of the 21st century a new era started. New designs, both classical (many kilims) and modern, were introduced and Afghanistan carpet-weaving reacted to the challenges of the market by transgressing the boundaries of traditional patterns.