Auspicious Carpets: A Tibetan View of Aesthetics

Fig. 1: Archaic Lozenge
Seat carpet
51 x 62 cm
cotton warp, wool weft

Archaic "light symbol crosses" and rosettes similar to those in the 400 BC "Pazyryk" carpet. Stylized floral crosses are often found in lozenge (diaper) patterns, but here are "blown up" to include the "light symbol crosses". These are not double dorjes as has often been speculated. The "mottled" multicolor wool effect in the lozenge stripes is specifically a Tibetan technique and can be seen in many new carpets. Typically, a unique rendering of an otherwise common pattern.