An antique triple seater meditation rug, sized 25” X 69 “and in very good condition, this carpet has three squares with a flower medallion in each square which is designated by a border of swastikas. Traditionally used in monasteries with each square as the designated seat for a monk, the same size of the square suggests its use for a much smaller demography- possibly novice monks. However, this antique carpet is perfectly sized and would make a beautiful cover for loveseats, settees, and daybeds. The carpet is made with vegetable and mineral dye colors, indigo blues and a base in beige.
In Tibet, after the aristocracy, the monasteries were the largest landowners in Tibet and patrons and purveyors of the arts. Extreme weather conditions required monastic institutions to cover platforms with carpets for thousands of monks during religious ceremonies. These carpets had to be changed regularly due to use which required a constant supply of rugs for the monasteries. Monks and lamas interacted directly with Tibetan weavers leading to a proliferation of a unique kind of Tibetan carpets with simple motifs and muted colors.
The scale of the carpet suggests that it could have been used both in monasteries or in private chapels in residences.
