Hand-Knotted Tibetan Khaden Rug | Apricot Field Twin Dragons

A striking Tibetan khaden, likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, handwoven in resilient Himalayan wool and conceived with a powerful yet balanced composition.

The field is animated by two opposing dragons, their sinuous bodies coiling across the surface in a dynamic interplay of movement and symmetry. Unlike rigid heraldic forms, these dragons appear fluid and expressive—alive with energy, as if carried by wind across an open sky. In Tibetan tradition, such dragons embody protection, strength, and the vital forces of nature, while their mirrored opposition suggests balance and harmony within opposing energies.

Between and around them, stylised cloud motifs and symbolic elements—reminiscent of the flaming pearl—float lightly, reinforcing the celestial setting. The composition is framed by diagonally arranged corner elements, lending a subtle sense of expansion and guiding the eye inward toward the central dialogue of the two creatures.

Though originally intended for daily use as a sleeping or seating rug, this piece transcends its function. It conveys a quiet authority—an object woven not only for comfort, but as a bearer of auspicious presence and symbolic protection within the home.

Referenced in "Dream Weavers – Textile Art of the Tibetan Plateau, pp. 60–61, Plate 6."

Age: Late 1900s-early 20th century
Condition: Very well preserved with sound structure and no repair
Warp: 5-ply cotton
Weft: 2 shoots ivory wool with some dark brown wool
Knots: Wool, 3 + 4 ply yarn
Knot density: 9h × 7v = approx. 63 kpsi
Colours (12): Deep blue / medium blue / tan / brown / red / blue-green / light blue-green / grey-brown / walnut brown / rose / orange / ivory
Dimensions: 85 cm x 163 cm (33.5 in x 64.2 in)