CIRCA: 1900-1920
A subtle but striking under-saddle carpet (makden) attained by the use of only a few colours, with mandala like roundels on either side.* It consist of primarily varying shades of blue and un-dyed wool, save for the flowers at the cardinal points in the main border that anchors the overall design. In that main border it has floral trellis’s inter-joining the orange, green and brown flowers, and at each end a single ‘shou’ or longevity symbol (‘borrowed’ from the Chinese design array). That main border then encases a secondary border with the ‘rice grain’ pattern, which in turn encases an inner pearl border. It was made in the early 1900’s, has all natural dyes, is constructed with fine silky wool and both ends have been folded under and secured. Only two of the four saddle girth strap holes have been incised and bound with leather, the other two remain ‘un-cut’ (through which the fine handpsun foundation can be viewed; photo bottom right) as is often the fashion. It is in good condition with no repairs or reweaves and has insignificant wear.
*A similar carpet example can be found on page 139, plate 12.38, Dragon and Horse by Koos de Jong.