Rug with leopard pelt pattern
Tibet
circa 1880
120 x 65 cm (3’11” x 2’2”)
l 96
symmetrical Tibetan knotted wool pile on a wool foundation

Recently sourced in Tibet, this unique rug is distinguished by a repeat pattern of small circles which resemble the leopard’s fur, an interesting variation on the more common tiger skin design rugs which are considered items of high rank and which are highly coveted in the collector’s market. It is plausible that this piece was intended as a meditation rug for an important Tibetan Lama.

http://www.albertolevi.com/products_index.asp?TL=ENG&IDCat=44