The beautiful pair of Classic Tibetan Floral rugs on page 98 OF WOOL AND LOOM  were woven in Gyantse, Tibet in 1920 and are now part of  the Newark Museum permanent  collection.  Tibetan weavers translated this design from Chinese brocade into a standard 3 ft by 6 feet size rug.  I decided to rework the scale and design of this motif into room size rugs of  varying sizes that would be more versatile for the American homes. These photographs show room settings of Classic Tibetan Floral in red and blue. Both of these rugs will undoubtedly become family heirlooms and collectors' items.

Since Tibetans often make and use rugs in pairs, antiques in original pairs are much sought after. This Chinese brocade-inspired design is attributed to the late minister Kapshopa, and is thus called Kapsho pesar (Kapsho's new design). Early twentieth century, natural dyes, wool weft, cotton warp, 93 cm x 70 cm.
Mate to the Kapsho pesar rug above, a style very popular in Lhasa of the 1920s, which was enjoying a renaissance of Tibetan rug weaving. It became fashionable for the nobility in Lhasa not only to produce rugs, but also show off the new designs created by their weavers. Early twentieth century, natural dyes, wool weft, cotton warp, 93 cm x 70 cm.

Tibetans are known for their love of floral designs and passion for color, as this excerpt from OF WOOL AND LOOM  page 107, demonstrates. Tibetan weavers refer to this as the Pema Chuni or  twelve  lotus design which captures the Tibetan love of lotuses and its strong association with Buddhism.  The Lotus is a much used symbol of hope and purity and emerges out of mud to become a beautiful blossom that personifies perfection and purity. We can excuse Tibetan weavers for taking a little license in the correct identification of this flower. Our interpretation of this design,  shown in a rug we produced for a New York brownstone, is more accurately called "Chrysanthemum Field" 

	A classic design called pema chuni. or twelve lotuses, became popular again in the 1930s, when rug weaving enjoyed a renaissance. At that time every aristocratic estate had its own weavers and produced its own signature designs. Early twentieth century, natural dyes, wool weft, cotton warp, 90 cm x 179 cm.
	As evidence of the popularity of the pema chuni design, a variation with a beige field is included here. Khaden. early twentieth century, natural dyes, wool weft, cotton warp, 81 cm. x 173 cm.
	Here the popular and worldly pema chuni design is presented on an appropriately ecclesiastic field of orange, so that even an ascetic monk can enjoy it. Khaden, early twentieth century, natural dyes, wool weft, cotton warp. 85 cm x 162 cm.

On page 114 in OF WOOL AND LOOM,  we introduce the use of rusts, orange, gold and other colors favored by monks and other high lamas.   Stylized clouds are a beautiful and recurrent motif in art and textile design in throughout Asia. The hand woven rug in this room setting shows the casual, understated elegance of our interpretation of the swirling cloud motif .  Feel free to inquire about InnerAsia's Swirling Clouds and Tibetan Sky designs. Both are available in a wide range of brilliant and more subdued color options.

This ecclesiastical rug boasts an opulent rust colored field filled with stylized cloud motifs. The particularly rich texture of the rust field is caused either by two separate dye lots or by an uneven twist in the yam. Khaden, late nineteenth century, natural dyes, wool weft, wool warp, 87 cm x 188 cm.

In this excerpt from OF WOOL AND LOOM, on page 125 I have focused on Tibet's rich heritage of beautifully woven saddle rugs. These stunning saddle rugs were used for ceremonial and daily use by members of the aristocracy, the Calvary and nomadic horsemen and represent some of the most complex and beautiful examples of Tibet's weaving tradition. I am excited to announce that InnerAsia is developing a collection of Tibetan Saddle Rugs that capture the best in traditional Tibetan Saddle Rug design and draw from many of the exquisite antique saddle rugs found in the Newark Museum's permanent collection. These new saddle rugs, as well as hand crafted felt horse padding we are also developing, will be designed for both English and Western riders and connect the horsemen and women of the US  with the famed horsemen of  Tibet.  

	Saddle rug showing rich glowing colors and a skillfully woven design of archaic dragon medal- lions surrounded by floral bouquets, lucky bats, and symbols of eternity. The border features eight scholarly emblems. Saddle rug, early twentieth century, natural and aniline dyes, wool weft, cotton warp, 58 cm x 50 cm waist x 134 cm.
	Classic dragon medallions are surrounded by auspicious fruits and lotuses studded on an intricate linking yungdrung border. The two panels are joined by a nambu textile filler. Such exquisitely designed and woven saddle rugs highlight the equestrian culture of Tibet. Saddle rug, early twentieth century, natural dyes, wool weft, cotton warp. 66 cm x 150 cm.

Of Wool and Loom:  The Tradition of Tibetan Rugs, an authoritative book on Tibetan Rugs now available at Innerasia's online store