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
Beige, Stone Washed, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted, Afghan Peshawar with Khotan Design, Oriental Rug
SKU : 413525
Exact Size: 8'0" x 9'7"
$4,509
$1,916
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Beige, Natural Wool, Hand Knotted, Afghan Peshawar with Khotan Design, Stone Washed, Oriental Rug
SKU : 413520
Exact Size: 8'0" x 9'7"
$4,509
$1,916
FREE SHIPPING
Dutch White, Hand Knotted, Afghan Peshawar with Khotan Design, Stone Washed, Extra Soft Wool, Oriental Rug
SKU : 413515
Exact Size: 9'0" x 11'9"
$6,220
$2,643
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Misty Gray, Afghan Peshawar with Khotan Design, Stone Washed, Soft Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 413510
Exact Size: 9'1" x 12'0"
$6,411
$2,725
FREE SHIPPING
Candy Red, Afghan Andkhoy with Village Design, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
SKU : 425425
Exact Size: 3'4" x 5'0"
$784
$333
FREE SHIPPING
Navy Blue, Colorful Samarkand Design Thick and Plush, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 327710
Exact Size: 7'10" x 10'0"
$3,289
$1,398
FREE SHIPPING
Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, White Wash, Peshawar Khotan with Pomegranate Design, Natural Dyes, Oriental Rug
SKU : 370725
Exact Size: 8'6" x 11'6"
$6,898
$2,932
FREE SHIPPING
Sky Blue, Stone Washed Peshawar with Khotan Design Vegetable Dyes, 100% Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
SKU : 370260
Exact Size: 9'10" x 13'9"
$9,542
$4,056
FREE SHIPPING
White Wash Peshawar with Khotan Design, Natural Dyes, Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Oversized Rug
SKU : 370275
Exact Size: 12'0" x 15'5"
$13,057
$5,549
FREE SHIPPING
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