Amazing Afghan – Vintage Khotan Design – Traditional Oriental Rug – 3′ x 3’5″ ft.

Size: 3′ x 3’5″ ft.

Khotan, an ancient Buddhist kingdom, was located on a branch of the famous Silk Road in Eastern Turkestan, in what is modern-day Xinjiang, China. Carpets from this region, though made in the cities of Kashgar and Yarkand as well as Khotan, are often called Samarkand rugs, after the name of the Uzbek city on the Silk Road that served as a major commercial hub for the sale and export of textiles.

The tradition of rug weaving in this region goes back to around the 3rd century, although most of the surviving examples date from the 19th and 20th centuries. Local weavers would traditionally employ both horizontal and vertical looms and use wool, a wool and cotton blend, or silk. Natural dyes made from onion skins, madder roots and walnut shells were all employed.

Rugs tend to be long and narrow, with repeating, geometric patterning. The most common designs found are the Khotan vase, with a dominant theme of horizontal vases and large flowers such as peonies demonstrating Chinese influences. Also frequently seen is the Yarkand pomegranate, sitting on branches in a vase, symbolizing fertility.

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