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
Goldie Green, Samarkand Influence with Distinct Abrash, Zero Pile, Shaved Low, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug
SKU : 377865
Exact Size: 6'2" x 9'3"
$5,390
$2,291
FREE SHIPPING
Greenish Yellow, Khotan Influence, Shaved Low, Distressed, Zero Pile, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug
SKU : 377860
Exact Size: 6'1" x 9'4"
$5,365
$2,280
FREE SHIPPING
Stone Blue, Khotan Influence with Distinct Abrash, Shaved Low, Zero Pile, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug
SKU : 377825
Exact Size: 9'11" x 14'2"
$20,257
$8,609
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Golden Yellow, Khotan Influence with Distinct Abrash, Zero Pile, Shaved Low, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug
SKU : 377820
Exact Size: 8'2" x 10'3"
$5,908
$2,511
FREE SHIPPING
Toffee Brown, Khotan Influence All Over Intricate Design, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Zero Pile, Oriental Rug
SKU : 377815
Exact Size: 9'0" x 11'10"
$7,516
$3,194
FREE SHIPPING
Shades of Brown, Khotan Influence All Over Intricate Design, Zero Pile, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 377810
Exact Size: 9'11" x 14'3"
$9,974
$4,239
FREE SHIPPING
Golden Yellow, Khotan Design, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Shaved Low, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
SKU : 378425
Exact Size: 9'0" x 12'4"
$10,184
$4,328
FREE SHIPPING
Shades of Green, Khotan Design, 100% Wool, Shaved Low, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
SKU : 378420
Exact Size: 9'0" x 12'1"
$9,978
$4,241
FREE SHIPPING
Dark Vanilla Brown, Pomegranate Khotan Design, Tone on Tone, Zero Pile, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Dense Weave, Oriental Rug
SKU : 380830
Exact Size: 8'1" x 10'1"
$5,752
$2,876
FREE SHIPPING
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