CIRCA: 1930
A large tiger striped under-saddle carpet made in the Xinjiang region of western China (actually, given its size possibly an under-under saddle carpet). The tiger stripes emanate out from a stylised backbone while the main border features dragon scales. Examples of this design and shape – or variations thereof – have been found to have been made in several regions of China*, but this example’s place of origin can be ascertained by its characteristic ‘Xinjiang weave’ or knotting style, which is distinct from the carpets made in the rest of China. Made circa 1930, the size is 143cm x 93cm, the warp and weft are cotton, the colours are good and there are no repairs. It comes from an old Swedish collection.
* See earlier dated representations published on page 78, plate 6.13, and page 82, plate 6.20 in the book Dragon and Horse by Koos de Jong and also a rectangular rug of the same design as Plate 16 in the book Chinese and Exotic Rugs by Murray Eiland,