Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Five Blessing Medallions, c. 1900

About the Item

This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets include two to four holes near the center, through which the girth straps of the saddle were threaded. Dated to the late 19th century, this Tibetan saddle carpet has an oblong, oval shape and a curvilinear design. On either side of the carpet is a round, central medallion in the form of five bats around the shou symbol of longevity. Known as the wufu pengshou, this traditional motif bestows the Five Blessings of old age, wealth, health, virtue, and peace. The medallion is enclosed by a a simple meander and a main border patterned with floral scrollwork. The carpet is trimmed in a silvery velvet fabric and backed with dark blue cloth. Knotted in a palette of orange, blue, and green against a creme field, the small carpet continues to enrich its surroundings with bright color and rich texture. From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 49.5 in (125.73 cm)Length: 31 in (78.74 cm)
  • Style:
    Tibetan (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Fabric,Wool,Hand-Knotted,Vegetable Dyed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CFC3241stDibs: LU820025726532

More From This Seller

View All
Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Floral Medallions, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Floral Medallion, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Known as an over-saddle carpet or "masho," this small rectangular carpet was once used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his saddle. Placed...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Wheel of Life Medallions, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets include two to four holes near the center, through which the girth straps of the saddle were threaded. Dated to the late 19th century, this Tibetan saddle carpet...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Scholars' Objects, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets include two to four holes near the center, through which the girth straps of the saddle were threaded. Dated to the late 19th century, this Tibetan saddle carpet...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Floral Medallions, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Tibetan Meditation Carpet with Dorje Medallion, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully knotted of vegetable-dyed wool, carpets by the nomadic peoples of Tibet, Mongolia, and northern China decorated every aspect of life with bright color and rich symbolism. Unlike those of the Chinese weaving...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Textiles

Materials

Cotton, Wool

You May Also Like

Tibetan Sleeping Carpet 'Khaden', circa 1900
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Tibetan sleeping carpet (Khaden) With medallions composed from clusters of the inedible and sacred Lumpang fruit. The Lumpang symbolizes happiness and longevity thus carpet was orig...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Tibetan Wangden Rug with Red Open Field
Located in Milan, IT
A fairly unique example of monochrome Wangden rug, the latter being distinguished by the characteristic warp-face back. Typical for the group is the use of lanolin-rich wool which im...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Tibetan Tsukdruk Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Rugs woven in this particular type of cut-loop technique follow a tradition which dates to the earliest forms of pile weaving. Each of the four panels is woven individually and are t...
Category

Vintage 1930s Chinese Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Tibetan Nambu Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A rare and unusual Tibetan rug woven with the wool yarn obtained by unravelling the so-called 'Nambu' skirts, which are typically decorated by multicolored stripes. The unravelled ya...
Category

Vintage 1920s Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Room Size Open Field Antique Tibetan Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A unique and elegant Tibetan carpet in a large format, most probably commissioned at the time for a special purpose. The neutral open field is framed by a series of borders, the larg...
Category

Antique 1880s Tibetan Tibetan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Tibetan Saddlebag Textile Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century colorful Tibetan textile saddbleback rug. Measures: 2'2'' x 3'5''.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Recently Viewed

View All