Heritage and Knotting Tradition

The tiger rug is one of the oldest motifs in Himalayan textile culture. In the Tibetan tradition the tiger stands for power, protective strength and spiritual vigilance, and tiger rugs were used in monasteries and palaces as honoured seats and ceremonial pieces. This rug carries the motif in its abstract form — a rhythmic field of tiger stripes rather than a figural animal, the pelt pattern reduced to flowing bands that run the length of the piece, framed by a border in the same palette.

This piece is hand-knotted in the workshops of Kathmandu, Nepal, by experienced artisans in the Tibetan knotting tradition. It is knotted from a single plied yarn in which two strands of Matka silk and one strand of hand-spun Changpai highland wool are twisted together — a 66 % silk, 34 % wool composition carried evenly through the entire pile. Changpai, from sheep raised above 4,000 metres on the Tibetan plateau, is long-staple and lustrous; the Matka silk lends the yarn its saturated sheen. Because silk and wool sit within the same thread, the surface shifts between matte warmth and lacquered shimmer as the light moves. The pile height is approximately 13 mm, with a particularly soft, plush hand.

Colour and Composition

The palette pairs a warm amber-and-gold ground with deep blue stripes running across the field and a blue border framing the piece. Because the same silk-rich yarn runs throughout, the blue passages and the golden ground both carry the silk’s sheen — the contrast is one of colour and light, not of material. As the light moves across the pile, the stripes lift and recede, and the whole field seems to glow from within.

Quality Line — Djoharian Naturals (60 kpsi)

This piece is hand-knotted in our Naturals line at 60 kpsi (knots per square inch) — the foundation quality of our Tibet Tiger collection. The same design is available to order in higher knot densities: Elegance (80 kpsi), Luxury (100 kpsi) and Executive (150 kpsi).

Presence in the Room

At 90 × 180 cm (1.6 m², approx. 3 × 6 ft) this is the classical Tibetan Khaden format. Three contexts in which it reaches its full effect:

• Living room: the amber-and-blue palette suits a contemporary living room with mixed materials — wood, leather, brass and stone. The silk-rich pile catches every light source in the room.
• Study or office: the saturated blue and the gold communicate presence — a textile that signals quality without excessive ornament.
• Wall piece: the silk-rich construction and the optical depth also suit a wall placement, where the shifting light becomes part of the work.

Bespoke — Made to Order

This design is part of our Djoharian Design made-to-order programme. Adaptable to your project:

• Dimensions on request — any custom size
• Colour palette matched to Pantone or RAL specification, from over 1,200 yarn shades
• Quality line — Naturals (60 kpsi) · Elegance (80) · Luxury (100) · Executive (150)
• Reference sample 30 × 30 cm for approval before full production
• Lead time typically 4–6 months after order confirmation, depending on size

Details and personal advice on our bespoke rugs page.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Responsible Sourcing · Label STEP

Djoharian is a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs — fair wages for the weavers and no child labour. Visit the Label STEP entry for Djoharian Teppiche →

Djoharian — Since 1967

With roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran and more than five decades of experience in the international rug trade, Djoharian has specialised in antique and designer rugs since 1967.

Service and Delivery

Every piece is expertly inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main before dispatch. For expert washing and repair we offer our own professional rug cleaning service. Secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured, with personal consultation in our showroom or by video call.