Djoharian Design · Imperial Dragon
Dragon Imperial Silk Rug
240 × 160 cm · Beige & Blue
The imperial five-clawed dragon — once reserved for the Emperor of China alone — hand-knotted in Kathmandu from 80% Chinese Matka mulberry silk at approximately 150 kpsi, in the blue-and-white idiom of the imperial kilns.
The Imperial Dragon: History and Symbolism
For more than six thousand years the dragon has stood at the centre of Chinese culture, evolving from an agrarian rain-and-water omen into the supreme emblem of imperial power. From the Yuan dynasty onward — by an edict of 1315 — the two-horned, five-clawed dragon (the lóng, 龍) was reserved for the exclusive use of the Emperor, the “Son of Heaven.” Princes and nobles were permitted only the four-clawed dragon; lower ranks fewer still. Under the Ming and Qing dynasties the rule was enforced absolutely — to depict a five-clawed golden dragon outside the imperial circle was treated as treason. These dragons appeared on the Emperor’s robes and throughout the halls of the Forbidden City in Beijing, chasing the flaming pearl of wisdom amid rain-bringing clouds, soaring over the peaks and waves that symbolised the land under heaven.
This rug carries that iconography in full. At its heart, a central roundel holds a single dragon pursuing the flaming pearl, framed by scrolling cloud bands; four further five-clawed dragons animate the corners of the field — five dragons in all, the classic imperial arrangement of one sovereign dragon encircled by four. The composition is bound by a dramatic radiating ray border in tones of blue, an unusual and striking frame that reads almost as a halo of light around the cream field, with an inner cloud-band guard stripe.
Material and Craftsmanship
This piece is hand-knotted in the workshops of Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Tibetan knotting tradition, at a fine density of approximately 150 knots per square inch (kpsi, ≈ 232,500 knots/m²) — the resolution required to render the dragons’ claws, scales and the filigree of the cloud bands with precision. The composition is 80% fine Chinese Matka mulberry silk and 20% Tibetan highland wool: the silk delivers a brilliant, almost lacquered lustre that shifts with the light, while the wool gives the rug its body and resilience underfoot. The yarn is hand-spun — a technique now rare in the wider Nepalese industry — and the slight irregularity of hand-spun silk is precisely what gives the surface its living, three-dimensional depth. A special high-low shearing with contour-cut outlines sets the silk passages slightly above the lower wool ground, lending the dragons added relief and a shifting, sculptural play of light.
The palette — cream-beige ground with light and deep indigo blue — is the quietest reading of the imperial dragon theme: where the orange-and-blue sister piece declares, this one whispers. The monochrome blue dragons on the pale ground recall the blue-and-white porcelain of the imperial kilns.
Presence in the Room
At 240 × 160 cm (3.8 m²) this is a refined medium-format collector piece. Three contexts in which this silk dragon rug reaches its full effect:
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Collector display: wall-hung as textile art, the silk surface catches indirect light and the dragons read as a living composition.
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Stately study or library: the calm beige-and-blue palette carries a representative room without dominating it.
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Yacht or designer suite: among polished surfaces and indirect lighting, the silk pile and the cool blue palette are entirely at home.
Bespoke Service
This Dragon Imperial design can be tailored to your project. As a contemporary hand-knotted piece from our Nepalese atelier, it can be commissioned in:
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Custom colour palette: selection from over 1,200 yarn shades, matched to fabric or paint samples.
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Custom materials: higher silk content, or cashmere, alpaca and mohair blends for the pile.
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Custom dimensions: any size, from accent format to palace scale.
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Lead time: approximately 3 to 5 months from final approval.
See our bespoke rugs page for the full process.
Specifications
| Origin |
Hand-knotted in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Tibetan tradition |
| Design |
Imperial dragon — five five-clawed dragons with flaming pearl |
| Collection |
Djoharian Design |
| Weave |
Hand-knotted, hand-spun yarn, high-low contour shearing, Tibetan knotting tradition |
| Knot density |
Approx. 150 kpsi (≈ 232,500 knots/m²) |
| Material (pile) |
80% Chinese Matka mulberry silk, 20% Tibetan highland wool |
| Material (warp & weft) |
100% cotton |
| Dimensions |
240 × 160 cm (approx. 5 × 8 ft) |
| Area |
3.8 m² (medium format) |
| Era |
Contemporary production, new, unused |
| Colours |
Cream-beige, light blue and deep indigo |
| Underfloor heating |
Suitable |
| Bespoke sizes and colours |
Available on request, approx. 3–5 months lead time |
| Reference |
#16190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 — combining the brilliance of mulberry silk with a softer, more tactile hand.
What is high-low contour shearing?
The silk passages of the design are left standing slightly higher than the surrounding wool ground, and the outlines between colours are carved by hand with a contour cut. This gives the dragons and cloud bands a raised, sculptural relief, and the lustrous silk catches the light against the matt wool for a shifting, three-dimensional effect.
How do I care for a silk-rich 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 constructions — no dry cleaning. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight over the years, as silk can lose colour intensity over time. Blot spills immediately with cold water and a light cotton cloth, never rub.
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.
Since 1967 | Grand Carpet Bazaar Tehran | Label STEP Certified
