Khotan rugs come from the oasis towns of East Turkestan (today Xinjiang, in far-western China), which sat directly on the Silk Road. That crossroads position shows in the rugs, which blend Chinese, Persian and Central Asian ideas into a look all their own: pomegranate-and-vase designs, offset medallions, and lattice patterns, in soft, faded reds, blues, golds and ivory.

Their gentle colour and easy, decorative style make Khotan rugs a natural fit for modern interiors, and they are close cousins of the warmer Samarkand weaves.