A bold, square seat rug depicting a snow leopard in profile against a deep blue background—the rosettes are individually knotted, its gaze directed forward, its mouth open. A vertical ochre-colored stripe provides a counterpoint on the left; on two sides, the rug tapers into light-colored fringes. In Tibetan tradition, the snow leopard is regarded as the embodiment of the mountain deity and as the guardian of the sacred peaks; animal depictions of this kind have long been part of the visual tradition of Tibetan carpet weaving. The rug is hand-knotted from northern Tibetan wool, row by row on a loom. It is suitable as a seat cushion for a chair or bench, as a small floor rug, or as a wall hanging.
The rugs are created through a collaboration between CHARU and Sayol (ས་ཡོལ།)—the name is composed of ས (sa), meaning “earth,” and ཡོལ (yol), meaning “curtain,” “Curtain of the Earth.” They are woven in the Tibetan highlands by female herders using wool from northern Tibet, following a tradition that dates back many generations on the high plateau. CHARU connects designers with artisan cooperatives in the Tibetan cultural region and uses this collaboration to develop products that bring traditional techniques into everyday life.
45 × 45 cm · 100% Northern Tibetan sheep's wool · Hand-knotted · The rug comes in a cotton bag
Care: Do not place in direct sunlight, as this will cause the colors to fade. Store in a dry, well-ventilated place. Clean by vacuuming; do not wipe with a damp cloth. For stains, use a neutral detergent or take it to a professional cleaner. Keep away from oil and acids. Slight pilling is a natural characteristic of wool and can be carefully trimmed off. Avoid friction against rough surfaces. For long-term storage, keep the item sealed and protected against moths. Since each piece is handmade, slight variations in measurements are possible.
