A striking and boldly articulated composition, this rare horse blanket features large, stylised chrysanthemum blossoms set against a radiant orange-gold ground. The floral forms, rendered in rich aubergine tones with subtle tonal variation, stand out with clarity and confidence, their generous scale lending the piece a strong visual presence.
The design embraces a deliberate simplicity—minimal ornamentation allows each motif to breathe, creating a composition intended to be appreciated from a distance, where its rhythm and balance fully unfold. This clarity of expression reflects both functional intent and an intuitive understanding of visual impact within the open landscapes in which such textiles were used.
The vibrant orange ground, often associated with monastic and ceremonial contexts, lends the piece an added layer of cultural resonance, suggesting a connection to auspicious or elevated use.
What emerges is a textile of bold elegance—where colour, scale, and restraint combine to produce a work that is at once utilitarian and deeply aesthetic.
Referenced in “Dream Weavers – Textile Art of the Tibetan Plateau, pages 184 & 185, Plate 68.”
Age: Late 1900s-early 20th century
Condition: Structurally very well maintained given its age
Warp: 5 ply cotton
Weft: 2 ply wool
Knots: 5 ply yarn, wool
10h x 6v: 60 kpsi
Colours: orange/ gold/red/dk. blue/med. blue/lt. blue/ivory/lt. pink/ med. aubergine/ pink
Size: 162cm x 114cm (63.7in x 44.8in)
