Large Vintage Samarkand (size adjusted) BB5221

This antique Samarkand Khotan rug featuring repeating geometric brown designs against a field of dark blue. The antique carpets from Kashgar, Yarkand and Khotan in the Chinese-occupied Autonomous Region of Sikiang are collectively known as Samarkands; these areas were lands of arid steppes, deserts and mountain ranges traversed for thousands of years by merchants and traders from China to Western Europe along the Silk Route.

This particular carpet is representative of the Samarkand and Khotan textile-making in its length and simplistic, spacious designs. Such large colorful area rugs are typically rendered in a glossy wool, occasionally embellished with richly brocaded silk and metal-thread. The main border in gold featuring floral designs evokes traditional East Turkestan motifs. Coming from a tradition of carpet-weaving at the crossroads of many civilizations, this Samarkand vintage carpet is a beautiful combination of the simple and ornate.