Hand-Knotted Tibetan Khaden Rug | Tsutruk Checkerboard Field

A quietly compelling Tibetan tsutruk, handwoven in resilient, lanolin-rich Himalayan wool, whose naturally silky fibres have matured into a soft, tactile surface with a gentle, time-worn sheen. Woven in three narrow strips and subsequently joined along their length, the construction reflects a traditional loom limitation and a pragmatic village approach to creating wider textiles.

The design is disarmingly simple: a field composed of alternating squares arranged in a checkerboard pattern, each slightly irregular, revealing the unmistakable hand of the weaver. The subtle shifts in alignment between the panels further animate the surface, introducing a gentle visual movement that enhances its authenticity.

This interplay between darker and lighter tones creates a soft rhythm—never rigid, always alive—transforming a geometric structure into something deeply human. Such tsutruk were woven for everyday domestic use, often serving as sleeping or seating rugs, and this example retains that sense of honest utility and quiet intimacy.

Age: Late 19th century to early 20th century (circa 1880–1920)
Condition: Good antique condition, with visible and honest wear consistent with use
Colours (2): Deep espresso brown — near-black / warm camel — light brown (abrash throughout)
Dimensions: 88 cm x 128 cm (34.6 in x 50.4 in)