What are Tibetan Rugs?
Tibetan rugs are a type of area rugs that originated from the area of Tibet. Although most modern Tibetan rugs are manufactured in Nepal and India, there are still some traditional workshops in Tibet that make these prized rugs.
Tibetan rugs are prized by collectors and used by many designers because of the intricate designs and the richness of the wool used. Design motifs have two distinct classifications. The first being simple geometric patterns composed of checkerboard designs, amulet (locally called “Gau”) designs and medallion designs. This motif was considered the traditional style and was part of Tibetan art for thousands of years. Colors were limited to reds, blues, yellows and shades of browns and grays.
The second classification included more intricate designs usually derived from the Chinese culture. Dragons, phoenixes and floral patterns were used often in this motif. Colors were also much more colorful which includes deeper shades of red and the inclusion of green. We can attribute this design innovation with the advent of modern technology and modern rug making techniques. This came about during the early years of the 20th century.
If there is one design that caught the attention of more rug collectors, we can safely say that it is the tiger rugs of Tibet. Tiger rugs, as the name suggests, have realistic renderings of tiger skin from the pattern itself right down to the color. More abstract versions also include the legs of the tiger and a grinning face. This is called the “whole pelt” design. Many of these Tibetan tiger rugs were used by monks during meditation and prayer. It is believed that tiger skin provides protection to a person who is meditating. Although this design concept is not unique to the culture, Tibetan tiger rug makers have achieved the highest quality in weaving this form. The difference in the richness of color and the intricacies of the “pelt” design help differentiate a Tibetan tiger rug from others.
Any person trying to locate and purchase an authentic Tibetan rug, whether the traditional design or a tiger rug, will find it to be a tedious task. Even if you go to Tibet, Nepal or India you can only see modern rug makers. That is why genuine Tibetan rugs can cost anywhere from $5000 to $20,000. There are companies on the internet that sell these authentic rugs, however, the best places where you can find these treasures are antique shops and auction houses. Although, there is no assurance that you can really buy one, if you do get to purchase it will be well worth all the effort.