SAMARKAND

The rugs known as Samarkand are actually made in the Sinkiang district, a vast area of China bounded by Tibet and Karakoram on the south, Mongolia on the north, the Gobi Desert on the east and Kazakhstan on the west. The are called Samarkand because they used to be collected and sold in this important Uzbekistan city. Weaving has ancient roots in this region, in fact there are extant fragments that can be dated in the early centuries of the Current Era. Most of the surviving rugs are from the 19th and 20th centuries: during this period Samarkand rugs were made primarily in three oases, Khotan, Yarkand and Kashgar. Their structure is quite soft - as are the wools. These rugs are brightly coloured with a prevalence of warm shades such as tomato red, pink orange, yellow and even blue. As to the designs, the main patterns are the Khotan vase, where the dominant theme is a row of horizontal vases with branches and big flowers (peonies or chrysanthemums). This motif has clear Chinese influence, but it is interpreted in the local style. Another typical motif is the Yarkand pomegranate. Two or more little vases at the ends of the field on both ends develop into a stylized tree outlined in red: the branches spread horizontally and hold flowers, buds and round, light red or pinkish pomegranates which stand out clearly against the deep blue field.
From the 1970s to the end of the 20th century Sinkiang produced rugs that were very different from the traditional styles, and in addition to the classic regional designs the district reproduced important Caucasian motifs - on a large scale in big factories. Although these rugs have no great artistic value, they have met with success because of their moderate prices and their sturdiness.