Khotan Vintage Floral Light Gray Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet East Turkestan Pomegranate Design BB8478 7'0" × 14'0" $18,000

This exquisite vintage Samarkand rug, woven circa 1930 in East Turkestan’s Khotan region, presents a bold visual statement characterized by symmetry, stylization, and an unexpected vibrancy. It captures the unique aesthetic language born from the convergence of Chinese, Persian, and Central Asian design traditions along the Silk Road.

The rug’s field is composed of a meticulously structured lattice of stylized pomegranate trees—an ancient symbol of fertility, abundance, and longevity. Each tree, rendered with architectural precision, spreads into angular, almost circuit-like branches adorned with pomegranates and floral rosettes. These forms are echoed across the surface in rhythmic repetition, forming a mesmerizing grid that feels both modernist and traditional.

The design subtly shifts in hue as it moves vertically across the field, transitioning from deep magenta and purple to vivid coral reds and salmon pinks—enhanced by the natural abrash of hand-dyed wool. This chromatic gradient imparts a painterly quality and dynamic energy, as if the rug itself is illuminated from within.

The central field is framed by a striking set of borders, each layered with meaning and craftsmanship. The main border features alternating cartouches and lozenges filled with abstract floral and geometric elements, woven in a bold black-and-pink contrast that creates a crisp, graphic edge. A secondary guard border of delicate rosettes ties in harmoniously with the inner design, softening the structural intensity of the overall frame.

The palette is a celebration of saturated, glowing color: dusty lavender, orchid purple, fuchsia, apricot, coral, and ink-black outlines. The colors have mellowed beautifully with age, creating a rich patina and lending warmth and soul to the rug’s otherwise rigorous geometry.

Hand-knotted from fine wool, the rug exhibits tight, even weaving and a short, velvety pile. The clarity of the design and the sharpness of its motifs point to the skilled hands of experienced Khotanese weavers. The rug remains in very good vintage condition, with its natural dyes and wool texture gracefully matured over time.

Expertly curated by Doris Leslie Blau, this rare rug is a testament to centuries of weaving artistry. Doris Leslie Blau offers a broad and varied pricing spectrum, accommodating collectors and designers across a range of budgets—from modest vintage finds to rare, museum-worthy masterpieces.