Hand-Knotted Tibetan Khaden Rug | Ivory Dragonplay

This hand-knotted Tibetan Dragon rug, circa 1900, features two opposing dragons in dynamic, sinuous motion, soaring through stylized clouds in pursuit of a flaming jewel—a symbol of enlightenment, spiritual wisdom, and truth. Each dragon clasps the jewel in a raised foreleg, its closed claws signifying mastery and protection of sacred power.

The dragons are rendered with expressive detail: bulging eyes, arched horns, curling whiskers, and snarling mouths, conveying their mythic intensity. Their bodies are covered in finely articulated scales, a testament to the skill of the weaver.

In Tibetan cosmology, dragons symbolize protection, transformation, and elemental power, especially linked to thunder, water, and fertility. The rug’s outer border features a bold, multicoloured motif of stylized mountains, with Mount Meru depicted on the shorter sides—Buddhism’s cosmic center—surmounted by clouds, reinforcing the theme of harmony between earth and sky.

Date: First quarter of the 20th century 
Warp: Cotton
Weft: Hand-spun wool
Colours (9): Cream — beige / camel / light to dark red / maroon / light to midnight blue / light to dark orange / coral-red / walnut-brown / green-grey
Dimensions: 95 cm x 160 cm (37.4 in x 63.0 in)