A Khotan carpet, East Turkestan

Pile ranges from good 1/6in. with most of field oxidized low to knot heads and spot foundation with repiling in scattered foldwear areas. Lower end partially rewoven, upper end with rewoven outer guard borders. Sides partially rewoven. Velcro sewn on reverse of upper end. Lovely spacious overall design, sound fabric and condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Hans Bidder illustrates a rug with a similar design to this lot that he describes as coffer-gul variant, see Hans Bidder, Carpets from Eastern Turkestan, Maryland 1979, pl. XIII.  In these two rugs the guls are placed on the field without surrounding fretwork as in most examples, such as Bidder, ibid, pls. XI and XII.  In its coloring and use of the 'Yün Tsai T'ao' border design, the present lot relates to a Khotan rug in the Victoria and Albert Museum, see U. Schürmann, Central-Asian Rugs, Frankfurt am Main 1969, pl. 87.