Hand-Knotted Tibetan Khaden Rug | Vermilion Cross Panel

This is a particularly engaging example of an antique Tibetan Kaden inspired by the so-called tigma pattern—an aesthetic language that echoes the visual rhythm of traditional woollen tie-dyed textiles. Such textiles, historically fashioned into long padded runners through the cutting and stitching of dyed cloth, served both functional and decorative purposes within monastic and domestic interiors.

In this woven interpretation, the artisan translates the softness and spontaneity of dyed fabric into the more disciplined medium of knotting. The central red field, alive with subtle tonal shifts, evokes the organic irregularities characteristic of resist-dyed wool, while the surrounding ground—punctuated by orderly cross motifs—introduces a measured, almost architectural counterpoint.

What is particularly compelling is the dialogue between these two visual registers: the fluid, almost painterly quality of the central panel and the controlled repetition of the peripheral motifs. This interplay suggests not merely imitation, but a thoughtful reinterpretation—where the weaver demonstrates both technical mastery and a deep familiarity with textile traditions beyond the loom.

Rather than a literal copy, the rug becomes an homage: a translation of material memory into wool, where the tactile softness of cloth is reimagined through the density and resilience of pile. The result is a piece that bridges two textile worlds, preserving the spirit of tigma while asserting its own identity as a woven work of art.

Published analogy, Kuloy, Plate 92; Cole, Hali #49, 18, Plate 3.

Referenced from "Dream Weavers - Textile Art of the Tibetan Plateau, Pages 114 & 115, Plate 33."

Age: Late 19th to early 20th century
Condition: Structurally sound with no repairs and well developed patina over the decades of use
Warp: Z 2 S ivory wool
Weft: 2 sheds ivory wool
Knots: 4+5 ply yarn, wool
6h x 3v: 18 kpsi
Colours (7): Red / light red / dark blue / blue-green / light yellow / light orange / ivory
Dimensions: 80 cm x 157.5 cm (31.5 in x 62.0 in)