Wool Tibetan Tiger Rug Cutout Carpets

Width / Length
XS: 1.5 ft / 45 cm x 2.6 ft / 80 cm
Small: 2 ft / 60 cm x 3 ft / 90 cm
Medium: 2.5 ft / 70 cm x 4.5 ft / 140 cm
Large: 3 ft / 90 cm x 6 ft / 180 cm

Available for purchase are extremely rare Tibetan tiger rugs in three sizes. These carpets are made in 100% wool with 100 knots/inch. They are hand-made by Tibetan and Nepali craftsman in Kathmandu, Nepal using a special “Tibetan knot” and take over a month to be created.

The tiger is a protector spirit in Himalayan culture. Real skins were used for meditation mats, wrapping sutra boxes, or hung on temple doors to warn off demons. Unfortunately, the tiger’s prized pelt let to its demise in the wild during 19th century British Raj. Today, rug weaving has replaced the real skins and remain popular with both local culture and foreign collectors..

Tibetan tiger rugs largely remain a mystery as to their original use, iconography, and tradition. It wasn’t until 1979 that they first appeared in the Western world, quickly capturing the attention of rug collectors and scholars. Very few antique rugs have been catalogued with most of them in the hands of museums and private collections.

Luckily some did survive and have provided the basis for Tibetan craftsman to revive the making of these beautiful carpets. The political problems in Tibet have moved refugees into Nepal where they continue the centuries old hand-weaving practice. Even so, production is limited. We are happy to offer these stunning rugs to a wider audience. Your purchase directly impacts the rug community and craftsman working to make these.

The rugs are produced with both vegetable dyes and environmentally friendly Azo-free dyes. They are handmade, so there can be a few inches variation in size. Some slight color hue variation will also be seen.