Object Courts and Fields 4 rug, by Christopher Le Brun

£5,000

Ishkar is a London-based business that sells artisanal wares by makers in war-torn and politically unstable countries, giving them economic opportunities and helping to keep regional crafts alive. It was only a matter of time before Ishkar co-founder Edmund Le Brun tapped his artist father Christopher to collaborate with the artisans. He has designed a series of rugs in limited-editions of five that are made to order by highly skilled hands in Afghanistan. It takes two weavers up to six months to translate his colourful, abstract designs into Ghazni wool, known for its luxurious finish. Weaving is one of the few professions that women are still permitted to do by the Taliban, because it can be done in their own homes. Gift yourself or someone you love a rug, and you’ll be giving the weavers a vital lifeline.