CIRCA: 1800’s
An uncommon* East Turkestan runner (or ‘long narrow carpet’) from either Khotan or Yarkand** in what is now part of China but was once known as East Turkestan. Red, yellow and dark brown are the predominate colours, with the red showing several areas of abrash. The main field is filed throughout with typical East Turkestan rosettes, clouds and pomegranates, along with other archaic motifs, but has an asymmetric design, that is either half, while similar, has different design sizes, shapes and features to the other. The central-most rosette is surrounded by four stylised butterfly’s (or bats?) while the four corners feature an angular geometric design. The main border is enclosed either side by several guard stripes and features the ‘wave line’ motif above which are ruyi clouds. The size is 313cm x 93cm, it has wool pile and cotton warp and weft and was made sometime in the 1800’s / 19th century. It is in fair condition for its age showing signs of wear and low pile throughout.
*While rectangular shaped carpets from this region are relatively ‘common’, examples of runners are few and far between.
**Famous for their carpets, both are age old oasis towns on the southern branch of the ancient Silk Road in what is today Xinjiang, the most far western province of China.