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Dragon Imperial Designer Rug
170 × 240 cm · Ivory & Blue
A single imperial dragon medallion in pure blue silk on an open ivory wool ground, framed by a classical Greek-key meander — hand-knotted in Nepal in the Kansu tradition.
Kansu — The Imperial Design Tradition
The Kansu design tradition draws on the imperial Chinese vocabulary of the Ming and Qing dynasties — dragons, meander bands, lotus medallions — reinterpreted in fine highland wool and Matka silk by master weavers in Nepal. This piece is the quietest expression of that language: a single imperial dragon medallion floats at the centre of an open field, framed all around by a classical Greek-key meander border (the léiwén, 雷紋, or “thunder pattern”). The composition is balanced, monumental, and reads with the clarity of a museum textile.
Material and Craftsmanship
This piece is hand-knotted in the workshops of Kathmandu, Nepal, on a Tibetan loom at approximately 100 knots per square inch (kpsi, ≈ 155,000 knots/m²). The open ground is knotted in 100% undyed Tibetan highland wool, while the dragon medallion and the meander border are picked out in pure Matka mulberry silk — roughly 90% wool to 10% silk overall. The contrast is one of both colour and material: the matt, ivory wool ground sets off the lustrous blue silk, which catches the light and lifts the dragon and the border into gentle relief above the surface. The silk’s living sheen — a result of hand-spun yarn — makes the medallion shift quietly between deep indigo and lighter blue as the light moves across the room.
Presence in the Room
At 170 × 240 cm (4.1 m²) this is a refined medium-format designer piece. Three contexts in which it reaches its full effect:
- Stately living room: beneath a reading chair or side seating, the imperial dragon becomes a quiet centre that defines the room.
- Library or study: the meander border and monumental composition pair naturally with leather, dark wood and books.
- Yacht or designer suite: the Tibetan highland wool and Matka silk pile carries a soft sheen that responds beautifully to indirect lighting.
Bespoke Service
This Kansu Imperial design can be tailored to your project. As a contemporary hand-knotted piece from our Nepalese atelier, it can be commissioned in:
- Custom colour palette: selection from over 1,200 yarn shades, matched to fabric or paint samples.
- Custom materials: higher silk content, or cashmere, alpaca and mohair blends for the pile.
- Custom dimensions: any size, from accent format to palace scale.
- Lead time: approximately 3 to 5 months from final approval.
See our bespoke rugs page for the full process.
Specifications
| Size | 170 × 240 cm (6 × 8 ft) · 4.1 m² |
| Design | Kansu Imperial — single dragon medallion with Greek-key meander border |
| Collection | Djoharian Design |
| Material (ground) | 100% undyed Tibetan highland wool |
| Material (pattern) | Pure Matka mulberry silk (approx. 90% wool, 10% silk overall) |
| Material (warp & weft) | 100% cotton |
| Technique | Hand-knotted, Tibetan loom |
| Knot density | Approx. 100 kpsi (≈ 155,000 knots/m²) |
| Pile height | approx. 8–10 mm |
| Colours | Ivory ground with deep and light blue |
| Era | Contemporary production, new, unused |
| Underfloor heating | Suitable |
| Bespoke sizes and colours | Available on request, approx. 3–5 months lead time |
| Reference | #16122 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the wool and silk combined?
The open ground is knotted entirely in undyed Tibetan highland wool, while the dragon medallion and the meander border are worked in pure Matka mulberry silk. Because silk and wool reflect light differently, the blue pattern reads as lustrous and slightly raised against the matt ivory ground — the contrast is part of the design.
What is Matka silk?
Matka is a hand-spun mulberry silk with a slightly irregular, textured yarn. Unlike perfectly uniform reeled silk, Matka retains a subtle unevenness that scatters light and gives the surface depth and a living sheen.
How do I care for a wool-and-silk rug?
Regular vacuuming at reduced power preserves the pile and silk lustre — without a beater bar, in the direction of the pile. On smooth floors we recommend an anti-slip underlay. For thorough cleaning, only professional hand washing by a workshop experienced with silk-and-wool constructions — no dry cleaning. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight over the years, as silk can lose colour intensity over time.
Responsible Sourcing · Label STEP
Djoharian is a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs — a commitment to dignified working conditions and against child labour in rug production. 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, designer and collector rugs since 1967.
Service and Delivery
Every piece in the Djoharian Collection is expertly inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main, professionally washed and shipped with a certificate of authenticity. We offer secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured, and personal consultation in our showroom or by video call.
Shipping Costs & Delivery Times
"Secure, worldwide insured transit for your masterpieces."
International Rates
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Germany (1–4 Days) Over 100.00 EUR: Free ShippingCart 0.00–100.00 EUR: 7.95 EUR
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Europe (Eurozone) (1–4 Days) Over 100.00 EUR: Free ShippingBelgium, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech RepublicCart 0.00–100.00 EUR: 16.50 EUR
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Denmark (1–4 Days) Over 1,500.00 KR: Free ShippingCart 0.00–1,500.00 KR: 120.00 KR
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USA (1–4 Days) Over 100.00 USD: Free ShippingCart 0.00–100.00 USD: 15.00 USD
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Canada (1–4 Days) Over 500.00 CAD: Free ShippingCart 0.00–500.00 CAD: 65.00 CAD
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Saudi Arabia (4–8 Days) Over 2,200.00 SAR: Free ShippingCart 0.00–2,200.00 SAR: 250.00 SAR
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Singapore (4–8 Days) Over 2,500.00 SGD: Free Shipping0.00–500.00 SGD: 85.00 SGD | 500.00–2,500.00 SGD: 150.00 SGD
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South Africa (By Weight in EUR)Up to 10kg: 110.00 | 15kg: 125.00 | 20kg: 145.00 | 30kg: 185.00
40kg: 200.00 | 50kg: 225.00 | 60kg: 235.00 | 70kg: 285.00
We ship worldwide. For an individual shipping offer to countries not listed, please contact us.
Customs & Export Information
Purchases above EUR 1,000.00 must be declared to the German Customs office. Please allow two additional business days for processing the Export Declaration Form prior to shipment.
EU Customers: All items are shipped from our gallery in Bavaria, Germany. Sales to customers within the European Union include VAT; no customs duties apply.
Non-EU Customers: Sales to destinations outside the EU do not include German VAT or international customs duties. Any import taxes or duties charged by the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Customs clearance is handled by the shipping company; any applicable fees will be collected upon or before delivery.
Payment Options
We offer the following secure payment methods:
- Bank Transfer: Secure SEPA / EU Standard transfer (on request)
- Shopify Payments: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, UnionPay, Klarna, Google/Apple Pay, iDEAL, EPS, Bancontact
- In-Store: Cash payment upon collection from our gallery
Returns & Exchanges
The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs. Please refer to our full policies:
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