Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet 41922

Antique Khotan Rug from East Turkestan, circa 1900The allover repeating medallion design of this splendid antique Khotan comes from Western rather than Eastern Turkestan. The larger medallions are turreted, and the smaller ones are multi-lobed. Both are derived from Turkoman wall bags or “Chuvals.” But here they appear on a much larger scale on a carpet whose grand size is exceptional among East Turkestan or Khotan rugs. The soft saffron-gold coloration is also very different from the Turkoman prototypes, as are the borders, which come from the local Khotan tradition.