antique prayer rug from xinjiang, the north west annexed province of China and home to the Uighur Moslem people. The piece probably dates from the 3rd quarter, 19th c. It is very low all over with some foundation showing. The top border has been rewoven, probably at source. Wool and camel hair has been used for the knotted pile and wool with cotton for the wefts. The overcasting is mostly complete and is part wool, part goat hair. The most important indicators to origin are to be found in the text book "Carpets from Eastern Turkestan" by the late Dr. Hans Bidder. There is a black and white illustration of the structure of such a rug showing warps, knots and also the unique triple weft system found in Khotan rugs. Full colour plate x1 on page 61 shows an antique Khotan rug with almost identical shades of various browns and tan shades. It also shows the use of green gradually changing to turquoise which this prayer rug has. The use of all cotton, or part cotton in he wefts is also typical of Khotan. Reference 3310. Size 138 x 91 cms., or 52 x 36 inches. Euros 400. sold. Thankyou