Khotan rugs, also known as Samarkand or Eastern Turkestan rugs, originate from the region of Khotan (Hotan) in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of western China. Khotan is an oasis city along the southern portion of the ancient Silk Road.
The rugs produced in this region are recognized for their unique design elements that blend influences from various cultures, including Persian, Chinese, and Central Asian.
Key features of Khotan rugs include:
Design Fusion: Khotan rugs often exhibit a fusion of Chinese and Persian design elements. They may feature Chinese-inspired motifs such as fretwork, cloud bands, and floral patterns combined with the medallions and borders commonly found in Persian rugs.
Color Palette: Khotan rugs typically have a soft and muted color palette, with earthy tones such as beige, ivory, soft reds, and blues. This characteristic sets them apart from the more vibrant colors often seen in other rug styles.
Materials: Traditional Khotan rugs are handwoven using high-quality materials like wool and sometimes silk. The use of these materials contributes to the durability and luxurious feel of the rugs.
Geometric Patterns: While floral motifs are common in Khotan rugs, geometric patterns, including lattice designs and repeating medallions, are also prevalent. The combination of geometric and floral elements creates a balanced and visually interesting composition.
Borderless Designs: Some Khotan rugs are known for their lack of pronounced borders, or they may feature simple, narrow borders compared to other rug styles.
These rugs have gained popularity among collectors and interior designers for their unique blend of cultural influences and distinctive aesthetics. The weaving tradition in Khotan dates back centuries, and the rugs continue to be produced today, maintaining the rich artistic heritage of the region.
More about the magnificent antique Khotan Rugs
The vast majority of the antique rugs which were woven in the East Turkestan city of Khotan have a style that is all their own. These exceptional rugs make the legends of Marco Polo and the Silk Road come alive. Khotan is an oasis and an age-old center for international design. From the ornate borders and grand medallions to the stunning repeating patterns, each carpet from Khotan captures a cosmopolitan style that is different than all the other rugs produced in East Turkestan. The city has an ancient crafting culture that includes both silk and carpet weaving. Rugs from Khotan depict an abundance of cultural and stylistic influences.
The pomegranate, whether it is depicted as an elegant shrub with symmetric branches or an exquisite seed-filled fruit, is the most important and iconic regional symbol. These local symbols are often paired with faraway accents from Buddhists in the east and Islamic groups in the west. The exquisite rugs of Khotan harmoniously balance contrasting styles while turning them into local icons. Stylistically speaking, the rugs of Khotan are the product of a rich culture and an abundance of decorative influences.
These captivating rugs were produced in the city of Khotan which is Located in Eastern Turkestan. Khotan produced fine rugs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Catering to a wide variety of tastes these captivating rugs straddle Chinese and western Oriental elements in their design. The palette of colors range from the more soft and decorative to more bold and rich. Many will have stronger and more geometric patterns or drawings. These rugs are versatile and could easily be situated in both modern contemporary or traditional interior decor settings.
Khotan rugs have been coveted by the top interior decorators for the past few years. Almost every interior design magazine that showcases high-end design projects will feature at least one, if not several of these magnificent area rugs. By the looks of things, these rugs and carpets are here to stay!
Below you will find more history and information that pertains to the rugs from Khotan as well as our collection of these breathtaking works of art.
These rugs hail from East Turkestan, a central hub along the silk route for 1000’s of years. Due to its geographical proximity to both Persian and China, the area rugs from Khotan feature predominantly stylized geometric arrangements of traditional Persian motifs that incorporate Chinese design elements. This forked derivation of design allows the rugs a decorative appeal that can adapt to many different tastes and decors.
More About Our Decorative Khotan Rug Collection
A space reflects a person’s personality, desires and traditions. Each piece builds off of one another, bouncing ideas back and forth eventually creating a unifying space. Rugs serve a decorative as well as utilitarian purpose. Today’s designs reflect the eclectic nature of our state. One such rug style that epitomizes this hybridization of thought is antique Khotan rugs.
Antique Khotan Rug
An epitome of history, character and culture antique area rugs woven in Khotan add richness to a room. Produced in Khotan, an area situated along the silk trade route in the southern region of Xinjiang , these rugs reflect the intermarriage of cultures. Straddling China and Mongolia, these rugs incorporate Chinese and Tibetan designs as well as Persian, Turkish and Turkoman from father west.
These influences add a layer of complexity and entertain the eye as juxtaposing ideologies converge on one piece. The fusion of classical Chinese and Khotan motifs in rugs exemplifies the beauty and one of a kind quality in antique Khotan rugs. A hybridization of styles, these carpets set the tone for today’s interior design.
Today’s space reflects the importance of color and contrast. Two characteristic designs on antique Khotan rugs are the three large disc medallion with an irregular gul patterned field and the allover gul design. Creating an emotional response with the bold abstracts and stylized motifs these facinating area rugs play with a mixed palette.
The soft neutral tones in rug 41862 epitomize the cross of Central Asian styles and the highly abstract work that creates an exquisitely dramatic effect. A cross between nomadic and village, eastern and western the designs of antique area rugs woven in Khotan are flexible for any decor. Highly sought by collectors these rugs are prized pieces meanwhile providing a luxurious touch to any room.
Funky Vintage Purple Silk Pomegranate Khotan Rug
Recent market changes have made these rugs valued pieces in the collectors’ world. Appreciating in value while remaining a versatile piece, antique Khotan rugs turns the rug from a decorative piece to an investment. This versatility makes these pieces stand apart from the rest.
Unlike other rugs the fusion of styles recreates a new world, one that allows a person to glance at the past and understand the historical value of such pieces. The buyer has the option of making their space into one that few can recreate while adding functionality to high style.
Khotan Rug History
Khotan Rug History – A space reflects a person’s personality, desires and traditions. Each piece builds off of one another, bouncing ideas back and forth eventually creating a unifying space. Rugs serve a decorative as well as utilitarian purpose.
Today’s designs reflect the eclectic nature of our state. One such rug style that epitomizes this hybridization of thought is antique Khotan carpets.
An epitome of history, character and culture antique Khotan rugs add richness to a room. Produced in Khotan, an area situated along the silk trade route in the southern region of Xinjiang , these rugs reflect the intermarriage of cultures. Straddling China and Mongolia, these rugs incorporate Chinese and Tibetan designs as well as Persian, Turkish and Turkoman from father west.
These influences add a layer of complexity and entertain the eye as juxtaposing ideologies converge on one piece. The fusion of classical Chinese and Khotan motifs in rug 42572 exemplifies the beauty and one of a kind quality in antique Khotan carpets. A hybridization of styles, Khotans set the tone for today’s interior design.
Today’s space reflects the importance of color and contrast. Two characteristic designs seen in these area rugs are the three large disc medallion with an irregular gul patterned field and the allover gul design. Creating an emotional response with the bold abstracts and stylized motifs antique Khotan rugs play with a mixed palette.
The soft neutral tones in rug 41862 epitomize the cross of Central Asian styles and the highly abstract work that creates an exquisitely dramatic effect. A cross between tribal nomadic and village, eastern and western the designs of antique Khotans are flexible for any decor. Highly sought by collectors these rugs are prized pieces meanwhile providing a luxurious touch to any room.
Recent market changes have made antique oriental rugs and especially, Khotan carpets valued pieces in the collectors world. Appreciating in value while remaining a versatile piece, antique Khotan carpets turns the rug from a decorative piece to an investment.
This versatility makes these pieces stand apart from the rest. Unlike other rugs the fusion of styles recreates a new world, one that allows a person to glance at the past and understand the historical value of such pieces.
Decorating with Antique Khotan Area Rugs
Khotan rugs have several unique qualities among antique rug styles that makes them particularly well-suited for decorating interior spaces. The name of these rugs is derived from the city of Khotan, a major rug-producing city in Eastern Turkestan. Quality rugs have been hand-made in Khotan from the beginning of the eighteenth century, with production becoming increasingly prolific during the nineteenth century.
Tucker and Marks Antique Khotan Rug Interior Design
What makes these rugs most distinctive – and what makes them so appealing to interior decorators and designers – is that these pieces represent a sort of in-between aesthetic: the most common elements of design found in Khotan rugs, as well as their overall composition and structure, are neither particularly Eastern Oriental (like Chinese rugs, for example), nor more Western Oriental (such as Turkish Oushak rugs).
Space fillers are commonly used in Khotan antique rugs, mimicking Western Oriental designs, while the central composition often borrows Chinese styles. Color palettes generally used in these rugs range from bold, rich colors to softer pastels. Featuring abstract elements and traditional geometric structures, Khotan rugs are among the most well suited to interior design.
In the above image, featuring a gorgeous space decorated by the renowned firm of Tucker and Marks, a beautiful, traditional Khotan rug works to bring together the eclectic ornamentation. Featuring a conventional Khotan style field and border, this beautiful rug demonstrates the impressive versatility of Khotan rugs.
Twenty or so years ago my father gave me a beautiful antique Persian rug - after so many years (and kids and pets) it needed some TLC, so I brought it to Nazmiyal. I just picked it up today and - wow! They got the stains out entirely and the entire rug is brighter; they also made some repairs - it's back in my living room and looks fantastic, and the bill was lower than I'd expected. Overall it was a great experience - the people are wonderful, the work was perfect, and I saw so many beautiful rugs at their store that I found myself wishing for a larger apartment. Next time I need any work done on a rug, or find an open bit of floor I know where I'll be heading.
It is always a delight going to the Nazmiyal showroom. This Qashqai is one of several purchases made over the years, and mom is truly enjoying it. Jason and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. They listen to the customeru2019s needs. When I go to the showroom, it is like visiting my family because we have the same appreciation for the textile arts.nnOriental carpets are a rare discipline to be educated in, because you canu2019t go to a university to have certain types of training and experience, such as knowing the cultures and processes of carpet weaving. Jason has such a refined eye that he can distinguish a good rug from a great rug, and that knowledge is offered to the customer to elevate their point of view.nnComing here has been an initiation into a world of culture, art, and beauty which has sustained me, and for that I am grateful.
Loved my runner rug purchase from Nazmiyal. Love the ability to purchase, try and return if it didn't work out! I had it shipped to California and everything worked out beautifully!
NAZMIYAL is the best source for antique and vintage rugs and carpets. Staff is extremely knowledgeable, Jason himself is an amazing dealer who handpicks each and every piece in his stunning collection and is happy to educate the consumer, not just make a sale. I always trust his experience and great eye for all my spaces!
I had an absolutely wonderful experience working with Nazmiyal. I was very impressed by their selection, the quality of their beautiful carpets, and their extremely reasonable prices. Really I cannot say enough about how helpful everyone at the gallery was - especially Omri, work with him if you can! - and how happy I am with my new antique rug. Five stars, highly, highly recommended!
