CIRCA: 1920’s
A Tibetan khaden, or ‘bed size’ carpet. Six bats – a symbol for happiness because of the Chinese name for bat is fu, which is also the word for happiness – are seen suckling nectar from two central flowers. The wide main border is of the ‘section’ type, with flowers in the individual cartouche’s, and star-like floral(?) emblems anchor the four corners, while the maroon narrow outer border mimics the oft seen red felt border on carpets from Tibet. We believe the dyes used are all natural, although the pink may, and only may, be the only one in question. The maroon center field is quite saturated and very very nicely abrashed throughout. There is a small area of wear confined to the center of the carpet – almost as if someone had sat there repeatedly – between the central flowers and the bats (as shown in one of the close-up photos above) but does not extend beyond this. Overall a very solid piece with rich saturated natural dyes and in very good condition.