Khyber Pass Gallery

Specialties

At Khyber Pass Gallery our hand woven area rugs were carefully chosen which they are one of a kind hand-​picked treasures. Our beautiful area rugs are made from primarily 100% virgin wools and silks with brilliant colors coming from natural dyes such as from plants, tree barks and other natural resources. Whether you need your area rug restored, cleaned or would like to trade, buy, sell or rent, we have the expertise that you need.

Restoration, Repair and Fringe: Our experts can help in such areas of rug damage due to pets, leaks on your area rug, flood repairing, worn areas by usage and etc. We use natural soap for cleaning and proper techniques to restore your rug to its original condition. We can also protect your rugs from moths and insects. We can protect your area rugs by Scotch guarding them also.

Cleaning: These works of art require area rug cleaning by experts using special hand wash and cleaning techniques.

Appraisals: Licensed appraisers with many years of education and experience to certify each area rug for insurance value as well as the proper documentation of value for future use and a special family heirloom.

Rentals: We have a reserved collection of area rugs for your special occasion which brings excitement to your event. We have area rugs for rent at a reasonable cost. We have all sizes that range from small to large scale area rugs.

History

Established in 1980.

The Khyber Pass Gallery was founded in 1980 in Laguna Beach, CA., as «a labor of love» by Sadiq Tawfiq. Born in Herat, and educated at the University of Kabul, Tawfiq is an Afghan– American who is grateful for the opportunity he found in America to combine his love of art, history and Afghan culture in a business that benefits both cultures. «Both his grandfather and father were well-​known merchants in Afghanistan.

They instilled in me an appreciation our country’s tribal art and, in particular, a deep love for the beautiful rugs that are still hand-​woven by families using traditional methods more than 4,000 years old.»

A tribal art expert, Tawfiq believes strongly in the power of art to help build bridges of cultural understanding. He regularly lectures at schools and universities and has served as a technical adviser on movies such as Rambo III and Three Kings.

Mr. Sadiq Tawfiq

Meet the Business Owner

Sadiq T.

Business Owner

Sadiq Tawfiq founded Khyber Pass Gallery in 1980 in Laguna Beach, CA as a young man. He came to California to attend UCI two weeks before the former Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Sadiq is proud of his heritage and some of the proceeds from Khyber Pass goes to the non-​profit organization of Afghan Amity Society which he founded in 2002. Sadiq is also a long term proud member of the Rotary club receiving numerous awards such as «The Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award» in 2013 for all of his humanitarian work in the area of education, cultivation and culture. He also founded The Herat Rotary Club in 2005. Other proceeds from Khyber Pass goes to a specialty school for girls established in Afghanistan and an orphanage. This school educates these young ladies in the areas such as reading and writing, sewing and embroidery as well as other trades.