CIRCA: early 1900’s
A flat woven ‘pile-less’ Tibetan trapezoidal blanket – known as a ‘takheb’ – of nomadic origin that was used to cover either a horse or yak, purportedly from the Kailash region of Tibet. The front consists of five strips of a sturdy, fairly heavily woven nambu cloth sewn horizontally together, while the back is covered in thick felt (which itself probably had a protective cloth cover / backing at some stage). The outer border design is of a ‘gau box’ or amulet / talisman like repeating pattern, while the main field features four zoomorphic figures. All the designs, both border and figures, are of dark brown animal hair, save for one figure which is light brown hair. It is worth noting here that a point of some debate has arisen around the very small group of blankets of this type with similar zoomorphic figures regarding whether the figures may have been / were added at a later date to some of the blankets to ‘enhance’ an otherwise plain center field, although this suggestion appears to be as much speculation as proven fact with regards to all of this type. Be that as it may, whether or not the figures were added ‘post-weave’, it is an unusual blanket in its own right with a nomadic origin and the ‘gau box like’ border pattern being quite attractive*. Both warp and weft are hand spun; the warp consists of a mix of wool and animal hair, while the weft is primarily wool with some animal hair interwoven. Other than some fraying on the upper left edge (where a ‘tie-down’ strap has chafed) there are no holes or repairs and the wool used in its construction is of a fine quality.
*A similar example of a zoomorphic takheb, but apparently more contemporary, can be seen published on page 270, plate 186, in the superb book on Tibetan carpets entitled Sacred and Secular by Robert Piccus.