Authentic Tibetan Skeleton Motif Handmade Wool Rug BB7437 2'7" × 5'2" $4,000

Tibet is a country of a great natural beauty and rich cultural traditions, with weaving being one of the most important ones. Handmade Tibetan carpets and other woven goods have a long history. What first started off as a practical craft, became an art few could match. Tibetan rugs are made using local techniques, passed on from generation to generation. Most popular motifs included in antique Tibetan carpets are usually religious Buddhist scenes, but also stylized animals and flowers, which have their own meaning in Tibetan culture. For example, floral designs usually consist of eight elements, a number symbolizing longevity in Buddhist countries.

This fascinating Tibetan rug was woven in the early 20th century, circa 1900.  While the pattern featured is not a regular one, it is a fascinating statement of Tibetan culture. In the very center we can see a human skeleton surrounded by shadowy faces. Such a depiction is not something uncommon in prayer rugs, used in Buddhist temples. This antique Tibetan rug must have been used by a monk or a priest, who would spend hours meditating. The color palette of this piece features balanced shades of beige with addition of a bit darker browns and blacks.