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Early 20th century Khotan
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Samarkand rugs, commonly referred to as Khotans, were woven in East Turkestan (current-day western China), among the villages of Kashgar, Khotan and Yarkand. These oasis towns, situated within a treacherous land of mountains, deserts and arid plains, were a vital re-supply point for caravans traveling the Silk Road. More than simple way stations, these villages were a cultural crossroads where East met West and trade flourished.
Khotan rugs were almost always woven in a long and narrow format. The distinctive design of these rugs reflects the blending of cultures that influenced their creation. For example, it is not unusual to see a Khotan rug woven with a Chinese cloud-band border surrounding a field of stylized pomegranate vines, a fruit signifying prosperity in the Middle East.
Today, Khotans exist as exotic testaments to an era of great commerce and cultural exchange across a continent.
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