20th Century Red and Brown Pomegranate Kothan Handmade Rug, circa 1900

Chuval is the bag used by Turkmen nomads to carry supplies and everyday objects, also used as wall decoration inside the tents. Fierce, tending to sedentary, the Yomut is one of the ...

Very particular drawing of this carpet comes from Afghanistan. The country has a long tradition of rug tunes. With a view to re-evaluating the artisan work of these populations and t...

The term Samarkand identifies those carpets produced by nomadic artisans at the centers of Khotan, Yarkand, Kashgar and the bazaar of Samarkand is the place of collection and trade. ...

Carpet in natural knotted wool with symmetrical knot, handicraft production of North Africa. The design of this rug reproduces a late Roman (Coptic) fabric. The drawing refers to ve...

Modern but at the same time Classic carpet hand knotted in Nepal with the Tibetan knot technique. The colors and decoration are a clear reference to the tiger's mantel (fireplace), w...

Tibetan Yuran rug, first half of the 20th century characterized by a multicolored field. Fleece in wool, warp and weft in cotton. Thickness: 10 mm. Hand knotted in Tibet circa 1960 ...

Samarkand rug, Kothan design with influences of Chinese rugs and of de ancient silk road, circa 1900. - We highlight the quality of the conservation of colors. - Colors in caramel to...

Wool rug of the ancient silk road. - Kothan design with influences of the Chinese rugs in regard to the Ionic capitals that appear in the work of the valance and Buddhist influence w...

Wool rug of the ancient silk road. - Kothan design with influences of the Chinese rugs in regard to the Ionic capitals that appear in the work of the valance and Buddhist influence w...

Authentic early 20th century Khotan rug with repetitive pomegranate motif in predominant tones in brown, salmon and mustard yellow. Measures: 5'7" x 11' Khotan, an ancient Budd...

An antique East Turkestan Khotan rug in runner format with a pomegranate design handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 2' 2" x 7' 6" Central Asian Rugs & Carpets: Central Asia is a vast area stretching from Northeastern Persia to western China, and from northern Afghanistan to the southern edge of Russia. The carpets can be usefully divided into three groups: the nomadic Turkmen rugs of Turkmenistan, northern Afghanistan, and northeastern Persia; the non-Turkmen tribal pieces from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kirghizstan; and the urban creations of Khotan, Yarkand, and Kashgar, oasis cities of Western China (Xinjiang Province). Commercially, the most important group is from Khotan, the easternmost of the Chinese Turkestan cities. The craft of rug weaving is primarily in the hands of Muslim Uighurs. Khotan carpets mix purely Central Asian design themes with Chinese elements. Native Khotan devices include pomegranate trees, upright flowers, round medallions, and yellow or red grounds. Chinese motives include triangular fretwork corners, swastika fretwork, and Yun-Tsao Tou (clouds and rain) diagonally striped polychrome borders. Cotton foundations, asymmetrical (Persian) knots, and medium weaves are standard. Some vintage Khotan are in horizontal, pictorial layouts with multiple various vases and plants. Saphs (multiple prayer niche panel carpets) are also a Khotan specialty. Others employ stepped and layered lozenge medallions, singly or in pairs. Still others, almost all antique, feature a stylized version of the allover Persian Herati design. Many of the oldest pieces employ brown wool wefts. Antique and vintage Khotans are almost always in the k’ang (double square) layout, conforming to the local household plans. Only relatively recently has the 6’ by 12’ or 7’ by 16’ format been replaced by the 9’ by 12’ size. As a result, an antique room size Khotan carpet is very uncommon. Reds are cinnamon, tomato and rust, never wine reds, crimson, or scarlet. Yarkand, farther west on the old Silk Road specializes in multi-medallion long carpets while Kashgar, farthest west and most under Persian influence, has traditionally knotted allover pattern pieces with finer weaves, often with silk piles, and enriched with medal thread, on cotton foundations. Extant Kashgars go back to the 17th century, but the carpet craft in Chinese Turkestan must be much older as fragments have been recovered from local tombs of the early C.E. period. Kashgars are the rarest of all East Turkestan rugs. Most available vintage East Turkestan carpets are interwar Khotans, many with pleasingly soft decorative palettes. The non-Turkmen nomads include the Kazakh, Kirghiz, Uzbek, and Karakalpak groups. Like the Turkmen, they were once all seasonally migratory, dwelling in round felt tents (yurts), but have been settled, at least partially, in the villages, and have taken up crafts and agriculture instead of sheep herding. As a result, carpet production has transitioned from domestic tent use to commercial sale, but the roots of long traditions are still evident. The Uzbeks weave...

A full pile excellent condition early 20th century Khotan rug. Gray ground, red accent pomegranates throughout with a lavender multi band border, circa 1920, measures: 5'11" x 9'.