RARE ANTIQUE EAST TURKESTAN KHOTAN 7-NICHE PRAYER SAFF

RARE ANTIQUE KHOTAN MULTI-NICHE PRAYER CARPET (Saff), East Turkestan, last third of the 19th Century, and in fragmented condition, now clean and museum conserved to a black cloth backing. The size is approximately 3'-0" x 7'-0" (92 x 214 cm) at the longest remaining length and width measurements. Written evidence suggests that carpets were woven at Khotan oasis and surrounding areas as early as the 7th century. The multi-niche design of this specimen has been continuously used since the 18th century, possibly much earlier. The carpet has both natural dyes and an early fuschine (developed about 1858) that is a reddish/purple color on the back, but has faded to a yellow/brown color on the front from light and air oxidation exposure over time. This specimen, like others, is woven transversely in design on cotton warps with natural brown camel hair wefts. Dr. Murry Eiland has published a beautiful, complete, Khotan Saff, allegedly dating from the period of Yakub Begh, 1866-76. Refer to: "Oriental Rugs - A Complete Guide", 1998, plate 325, on page 327. In his text, Dr. Eiland states "Hundreds of recent, but still similar, saffs can be seen in the Id-Kah mosque in Kashgar". From its fragmented condition, one may assume that the present example came from a mosque depot. I purchased this weaving from a Chinese rug dealer gentleman in China who claims to have bought it directly in Khotan. I had the weaving professionally cleaned to museum standards and sewn to a cloth backing making it suitable for framing on a wooden stretcher or it can be hung on a wall and displayed "as is". If you have any questions at all about this 19th century Khotan Saff fragment, only email Michael Phillips at phillipsrugs@comcast.net or feel free to call my studio at (303) 885-7599. Please take a little extra time to view all of the other fine antique weavings of merit I have posted exclusively with eBay auction this week and remember to bookmark my eBay seller ID: IMOKUB2 (I am okay, you be too) to your "favorite sellers" list to see weekly future offerings having this age, beauty, quality, condition, rarity, and collect-ability. NOTE: ALL of my eBay listings come with an unconditional 100% money back refund guarantee (including ALL s/h/ins. fees) if for ANY reason at all the winning bidder is unhappy with their purchase from me.