Khotan rugs (sometimes known as Samarkand rugs) originated in the Silk Road desert oasis kingdom of Khotan, East Turkestan. Khotan rug patterns are distinctive as a result of the design influence of the diverse luxury goods traded at this crossroads. The patterns mix smaller Chinese and Tibetan design elements with larger Persian, Turkish, and Turkoman designs. The rug field is often filled with "minor motifs" in the Persian style rather than left more open in the Chinese style. Popular eastern design elements include pomegranates, cloud bands, rosettes, flowering vines in vases, and lattices while rug cultures further west inspired the geometric shapes, central medallions and general composition. Khotan patterns were designed with colors that ranged from pastels to vivid hues.
Samarkand in Uzbekistan – more than 600 miles from Khotan – was a trading center for goods from East Turkestan including Khotan rugs. This is why "Samarkand" is often used to describe these designs. Khotan rugs were hand-knotted in wool or silk. Silk moths flourished in the kingdom's mulberry groves and their silk was used to make the famed Khotan rugs woven at Yarkand on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
The colors in antique Khotan rugs may not be true to the original as dyes often fade over time creating the vintage palette so beloved today. Antique Khotan rugs available are largely from the late 19th century when thousands were woven for export in Khotan and its satellite villages. Khotan-inspired rugs made in the 21st century are hand-knotted in other countries. Khotans new and old are perennial favorites with interior designers, particularly in Italy, where their striking floral and geometric designs and subtle colors enhance the faded elegance of Italian palazzi.
Khotan and Samarkand
Timberwolf Gray, Natural Dyes, White Wash Peshawar with Faded Colors, Khotan Design, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted, XL Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 374790
Exact Size: 2'10" x 15'0"
$2,787
$1,185
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Oxford Gray, White Wash Pomegranate Design Samarkand Khotan, Natural Wool, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
SKU : 374760
Exact Size: 3'11" x 10'0"
$2,569
$1,284
FREE SHIPPING
Lexicon Ivory, Milk Wash Peshawar, Khotan Design, Organic Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 374670
Exact Size: 8'2" x 9'9"
$5,223
$2,220
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Ivory, Extra Soft Wool, Hand Knotted, White Wash Peshawar with Samarkand Garden Design, Natural Dyes, Oriental Rug
SKU : 358655
Exact Size: 10'0" x 13'9"
$9,627
$4,091
FREE SHIPPING
Chrome Gray, White Wash Khotan with Pomegranate Garden Design, Organic Wool, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 374385
Exact Size: 3'11" x 12'1"
$3,104
$1,319
FREE SHIPPING
Glaucous Gray, High Grade Wool, Hand Knotted, Washed Out Khotan and Samarkand Inspired Pomegranate Design, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 373935
Exact Size: 3'8" x 10'2"
$2,445
$1,039
FREE SHIPPING
White Diamond and Gentle Gray, Washed Out Khotan and Samarkand Inspired Pomegranate Design, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 373825
Exact Size: 10'0" x 13'11"
$9,129
$3,880
FREE SHIPPING
Arctic Blue, Hand Knotted, White Wash Khotan and Samarkand Inspired Pomegranate Design, Organic Wool, Oversized Oriental Rug
SKU : 373635
Exact Size: 11'10" x 17'4"
$13,455
$5,718
FREE SHIPPING
Baby Blue Eyes, White Wash Peshawar Khotan with Pomegranate Design, Vegetable Dyes, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 373370
Exact Size: 9'11" x 13'6"
$8,782
$3,732
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