Antique East Turkestan Khotan Pictorial Rug

A wool pile of asymmetric knots on a cotton foundation. This enigmatic strip may be a fragment or a purpose-woven piece, with a red field supporting two confronting, scaly tangerine dragons, each bearing a flaming pearl and divided by a dense, pinecone-like motif. Small cloud knots appear throughout the field, with rolling waves below. Three sides are bordered by an ecru and black T-fret pattern.