Khotan Handwoven Transitional Rug, J63405

The rug originates from India, with a design inspired by the traditional Khotan style and executed in a transitional format. The rug presents a light blue background contrasted by a blonde border, with the primary color of the rug being various shades of blue. It is constructed from high-quality wool, which is woven onto a cotton foundation using traditional methods.

This rug is a new creation, having recently been woven. The final washing and several finishing processes are conducted in Jaipur to achieve its distinct look. Chromium dyes are employed in the dyeing process due to their color accuracy, lightfastness, and consistency, which is particularly beneficial for custom orders and the extra antique finishing that these rugs undergo.

The rug is part of a production mostly managed by smaller contractors who distribute designs and pre-dyed, hand-spun wools to various villages, primarily outside Jaipur. Some villages as far west as Bikaner also participate in this cottage industry. The weavers are generally paid by the square meter and often work from their homes. Larger rugs, especially those wider than 10 feet, are usually made in villages equipped with stationary horizontal looms.

Rajasthan rugs, like this one, are woven using an asymmetrical Persian type knot. This knotting technique, which has been used by weavers in Rajasthan for centuries, contributes to the ribbed texture of the rug. The wool used in this rug is a blend of Ghazni wool imported from Afghanistan and wool from South Africa. The foundation is double wefted, with a dense bottom weft composed of multiple plies of thick cotton, and a thinner, upper weft made from fine, pure white cotton. This upper weft is loosely threaded through the warps, which results in speckles of white that appear once the rug is sheared, mimicking the wear patterns of antique rugs.

The design of the rug draws inspiration from antique Persian and Khotanese carpets, featuring both traditional and contemporary colors. It has a knots-per-square-inch (KPSI) of 104, and it is calculated that the rug contains approximately 1,649,964 individually hand-tied knots.

Visually, the rug employs a muted, predominantly blue color palette with hints of gold and beige. The pattern is geometric, with an emphasis on symmetry and repetition of shapes like squares, circles, and diamonds. The colors of these geometric shapes are mainly soft blues and muted golds, contributing to a structured, uniform appearance across the rug.

The rug includes a narrow outer border adorned with intricate motifs in matching colors. There is no inner border, as the design transitions smoothly from the border to the main field. The overall symmetry of the rug is evident, with repetitive motifs providing a balanced look. The pattern is moderately dense, allowing the base color to be visible between the shapes. Additionally, the rug does not feature a central medallion, instead focusing on the geometric pattern that covers the entire surface.