America Trip – 19th Century Antique Tibetan Carpets

19th Century Antique Tibetan Dragon Carpet

has just returned from a viewing trip to America, where he has been privileged to see a variety of antique rugs and ancient textiles.

“During my trip to the USA, I chanced upon this fantastic piece – a 19th Century Antique Tibetan Carpet. Interestingly, the Dragons are all large – 3 or 4 frets long. It’s very rare to see this type of work – it’s a speciality – this particular Tibetan carpet has been made in 2 pieces, in 2 separate looms, which were then brought together at a later date to complete the Tibetan carpet.”

“I will be exhibiting this fantastic 19th Century Antique Tibetan Carpet at Asia week, at the BOAF in Brussels“.

Dragons are one of the more popular designs on antique Tibetan carpets, as the Dragon is a good luck symbol in Tibetan folklore – Tibetans consider the Dragon to be a benevolent being, bringing goodwill to mankind. This is in sharp contrast to the way ancient Western culture portrays the Dragon – in George and the Dragon, for example.

Dragons on Tibetan rugs usually take the form of a Thunder Dragon, or more rarely, a Wood Dragon. Thunder Dragons are often seen on Tibetan carpets with clouds denoting their passage through the sky. They are called Thunder Dragons due to the noise they make as they pass through the heavens. Lighting may also be seen on a Tibetan carpet featuring a Thunder Dragon

The Thunder Dragons of Ancient Tibetan Carpets aren’t mere flying creatures. They also rule the seas and hold dominion over the rain. The Tibetan word for Dragon is ‘Druk’ – and it appears on all kinds of textiles and objects – from ancient Tibetan Carpets to Paintings, in Architecture and murals. To the Tibetans, Druk is a magical creature that lives in the clouds.

See our other Eastern Rugs and Carpets