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
Spring White, Faded Out, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 442940
Exact Size: 2'7" x 11'2"
$1,892
$804
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Cadet Gray, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 442935
Exact Size: 2'10" x 9'9"
$1,812
$770
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Vista White, Shabby Chick, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug
SKU : 442915
Exact Size: 9'8" x 13'6"
$8,560
$3,638
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Goose Gray, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, 100% Wool, White Wash Peshawar, Oriental Rug
SKU : 442910
Exact Size: 8'10" x 11'5"
$6,615
$2,811
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Shoreline Gray, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, White Wash Peshawar, Distressed, Oriental Rug
SKU : 442905
Exact Size: 9'8" x 13'1"
$8,296
$3,526
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Ash Gray, 100% Wool, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 442885
Exact Size: 2'7" x 6'0"
$1,016
$432
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Ash Gray, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Wool, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 442880
Exact Size: 2'8" x 6'0"
$1,049
$446
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Cloud Gray, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Organic Wool, Runner Oriental Rug
SKU : 442875
Exact Size: 2'5" x 12'0"
$1,902
$808
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Goose Gray, White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Natural Wool, Wide XL Runner, Oriental Rug
SKU : 442870
Exact Size: 3'0" x 15'11"
$3,132
$1,331
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