This rare, nineteenth-century antique Yarkand-Khotan long rug from East Turkestan is a masterpiece of Central Asian textile art, distinguished by its luminous yellow background and the venerable “Pomegranate” design. Historically, the oasis towns of the Silk Road—Khotan, Yarkand, and Kashgar—served as a cultural bridge where Chinese, Tibetan, and Persian aesthetic sensibilities fused into a singular, exotic style. This specific specimen features a vibrant yellow field, a color of immense prestige in the East Turkestan rugs weaving tradition, often associated with royalty, divinity, and the life-giving sun of the Taklamakan Desert. Achieving such a clear, sun-drenched hue required a masterful use of local vegetal dyes, typically derived from saffron or weld, applied to the region’s characteristically soft and lustrous wool. Size 8’3″ x 9’8″ Format: rectangular
The “Pomegranate” (Anar) design is perhaps the most iconic and symbolic motif of the Khotan weaving tradition. In Central Asian mythology, the pomegranate is a potent symbol of fertility, abundance, and the continuity of life, due to its myriad of seeds. On this rug, the motif is rendered as a “Tree of Life,” where branching stalks terminate in stylized, jewel-like fruit. The geometry of the design reflects a fascinating cultural synthesis: the scrolling, organic nature of the branches hints at Persian influence, while the restrained, almost minimalist execution and the use of fretwork-style borders are distinctly Chinese. This “Pomegranate” layout was highly prized by the Qing Dynasty court and later became a hallmark of the “Samarkand” style sought after by Western designers during the Art Deco movement.
Historically, a room-sized Khotan of this caliber was a significant luxury, as most rugs from this region were produced in smaller, narrower formats (long runners or “saf” prayer rugs). The presence of such an expansive, yellow-field carpet suggests a high-status commission, likely intended for a formal reception hall or a palatial residence. The borders often feature the “wave and crest” or “running water” pattern, providing a symbolic protection for the garden of pomegranates within. Today, this 19th-century Yarkand-Khotan stands as a testament to the sophisticated “Silk Road” aesthetic—a textile that captures the spiritual geometry of the East and the warm, yellow light of the ancient desert oases. To possess such a piece is to hold a fragment of a lost world where trade, religion, and art converged into a shimmering, yellow tapestry.
Condition: Good. Overall Good Condition.
