The Soviet Imprint on Afghan Architecture

When I lived in Afghanistan it was a commonly heard complaint that while foreign aid programmes focused on development which was often intangible in nature - women’s empowerment workshops, rule of ...

ISHKAR X Skateistan | Behind the Design

We're delighted to have joined forces with Skateistan to create a limited capsule collection of handmade rugs and tapestries, celebrating the courage and creativity of Afghanistan’s young skaters.

Chunky Rings | The story behind the stone

Afghanistan is home to some of the most diverse and complex geology in the world. Its mountains hold an abundance of precious and semi-precious stones, a richness that has shaped a unique culture o...

Bamiyan Turquoise | Afghanistan’s hidden gem

Bamiyan Turquoise is one of our favourite gemstones to use in our jewellery collections. Though its scientific name is chrysocolla, in Afghanistan it is better known by another name.

Afghanistan's Glassblowing Legacy

Every piece in our glassware collection is made by the last remaining glassblowers in Afghanistan - Ghulam Sekhi and his small team of master craftsmen in Herat, Afghanistan.

The strange history of Afghanistan's poppy flower

The poppy is not just a flower. It is a lens through which we see how Afghanistan was shaped, exploited, and continually redefined. It tells the story of the nation itself.

How to hang a flatweave rug

If you’ve been wondering what the easiest way to hang a rug on a wall is, there are a few different approaches you can take. We’ve outlined four methods for hanging a flatweave rug safely and secur...

The mother of all slipper-ups

Having worked with our artisan partners for almost a decade now, they consistently meet the high bar we set for them. But in our quest for quality, we have learned some rough lessons along the way.

ISHKAR x Skye Jones

A collaboration with photographer and model Skye Jones, our new ring collection harnesses the beauty and power of horses, while paying homage to the rich history of Central Asian equestrian traditi...

Kandahar: The Second Home of Zoroastrianism | Shabnam Nasimi

They call it the heartland of the Taliban. But for over 3000 years it has been Zoroastrian, Buddhist, and Greek — long before the Kalashnikov was invented.

Hand-knotted vs. Flatweave rugs | Afghan rugs explained

Ever wondered what the difference between a flatweave and a hand-knotted rug is? Keep reading to find out more about our Afghan rugs, and which one might be right for your home. What is a hand-kno...

True blue | The history of lapis lazuli jewellery

Blue is one of the rarest colours found in nature. Up until the 18th century, whether you were a Pharaoh or an artist, there was only one place you could find blue in its natural form - the high pe...