CIRCA: 1940’s – 1960’s
A unique saddle carpet set (i.e. both under-saddle and over-saddle carpet; a makden and a masho) from Bhutan – but possibly made in Tibet, or by a Tibetan* – featuring double dragons and, given the large size, almost certainly made for use on a yak. (See example of a boy on a yak with similar saddle including the squiggly ‘gold’ trim around the edges, taken in Bhutan.) It has wool warp and cotton weft and was made circa 1950 / mid 1900’s. The colourful centre strip is most likely from a woollen ‘pangden’ (a woman’s traditional ‘apron’) and both pieces are backed by black cotton cloth. Very few complete saddle carpet sets come on the market any more as they are usually separated and sold as single pieces, so this is a unique opportunity to not only purchase a complete set, but one from Bhutan also. It is in very good condition. ALREADY SOLD
* Bhutan does not have a history of carpet weaving, so any carpet made there would have in all likelihood been made by an itinerant, or resident, Tibetan carpet weaver.