Vintage Khotan Samarkand Runner in Brown With Geometric Medallion - Rug & Kilim

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Description

Hand-knotted in wool, this 6x14 contemporary Samarkand runner rug, originating circa 1950-1960 from China, is a magnificent artifact from our … Read more Hand-knotted in wool, this 6x14 contemporary Samarkand runner rug, originating circa 1950-1960 from China, is a magnificent artifact from our collection of timeless pieces. This runner-style masterpiece functions as a soulful bridge between ancient Silk Road symbolism and the sophisticated aesthetic of the mid-20th century.

On the Design:

This vintage Khotan rug uniquely captures a "Samarkand" air through a scholarly, poetic lens. The composition centers upon a luminous, elongated medallion in deep indigo, housing a primary central rondelle flanked by ancestral vase motifs that reach toward the horizons of the field.

This central sanctuary is set against a serene, sand-toned ground, uniquely punctuated by rhythmic, diagonal striations that suggest the shifting dunes of a desert landscape. Connoisseurs will admire the traditional interplay of gold, and teal blue—a quintessential Khotan palette that achieves a submersive, complementary beauty.

Framing this celestial narrative is a series of refined borders featuring geometric cloudbands and Buddhist-inspired fretwork, which offer a rhythmic containment to the expansive energy of the field.

The way such intricate, archaic elements achieve an elegant, modern presence exemplifies the very forgiving, sophisticated spirit of Khotan design. With its rare dimensions and evocative stippling, this rug stands as a testament to an oriental craft that remains timeless, offering limitless interior design applications for grand hallways and gallery spaces alike.

Samarkand rugs represent one of history's great misnomers in carpet nomenclature. Despite their name, these carpets were not woven in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, but rather in the oasis cities of East Turkestan (modern-day Xinjiang, China)—primarily Kashgar, Yarkand, and Khotan. Samarkand served as the major trading center where these carpets reached international markets, hence European and American dealers adopted the city's romantic name for commercial purposes.

The tradition represents Chinese weaving influenced by Central Asian, Tibetan, and Islamic design vocabularies, creating unique synthesis distinct from both Persian and Chinese court carpet traditions.
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Condition:

This vintage Khotan Samarkand rug enjoys good condition for its age and origin See less