Vintage Tibetan Khaden Wool Rug

Mid-20th Century Tibetan Khaden Wool Rug with Central Medallion and Cloud Spandrels

This is more than just a beautiful rug; it's a piece of history, representing the end of a thousand-year-old tradition. An authentic hand-knotted Tibetan 'Khaden' (sleeping rug), this piece was woven in Tibet around the 1960s.

We can confidently date this rug to the mid-20th century by its materials. While the design — a classic dragon medallion with "cloud-fret" corners — is ancient, the colours tell the story. The vibrant, stable teal and rich, uniform brown fields are characteristic of high-quality synthetic dyes that became common in the 1940s and '50s. This combination of a traditional, unsimplified Tibetan design with modern (mid-century) materials is a hallmark of this specific period.

This piece is increasingly rare as it represents one of the very last generations of rugs to be woven in Tibet before the historic 1959 exodus. After this time, the ancient craft was transplanted to refugee communities in Nepal and India, where designs and materials began to change to suit Western markets.

This rug is a snapshot of a tradition at a critical turning point—one of the last of its kind made in its original homeland.

Origin: Tibet, c. 1960s 
Materials: Hand-knotted, lush, pure wool pile
Dimensions: 180 x 95cm
Condition: Superb vintage condition. Professionally cleaned with a lush, full pile and no damage or faults to note.