Ningxia 'above saddle' carpet. These were usually made as a two piece set, that is an odd shaped one for below the saddle, and - usually - an oblong shaped one for above the saddle. The deep blue main field has some form of floral arrangement in the background, which is almost subsumed by a dense field of the so-called 'footprint of the frog' design. Overall, colour usage remains at a minimum with only golds and blues all from natural dyes, and un-dyed wool. Cotton warp and weft, made in the early 1800’s or possibly before. (a vaguely similar design on an 'under saddle ' carpet from Ningxia can be seen on the cover of the book Dragon and Horse by Koos de Jong.) There are no repairs or / restorations. Size; 94cm x 48 cm (37” x 19”). Astute collectors piece. (For more detailed information on saddle carpets please see https://warpandweft.club/saddle-carpet-shapes/)