Tibetan Pile Rug with Tiger Motif

A neat field of small wavy black dashes on a camel-tan ground

This pile rug with tiger motif is from Tibet, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is wool. Chinese motifs often appear in Tibetan rugs, including the shou symbol for long life, the dragon and phoenix, and stylized clouds, though Buddhism was the strongest source of design inspiration. A narrow rectangular rug in a soft tan with rows of short, curved black strokes arranged in two bands. A plain beige strip divides the center. Short fringe shows at the ends and the pile looks even and low.

Small wiggles, thoroughly organized, and endlessly patient.