Sourced in Tibet, this fragment belongs to a group of five other pieces discussed by Michael Franses in his superb monograph (Classical Chinese Carpets I – Lion-dogs, Hundred Antiques, London 2000, p. 38). The abundant use of light blue wool appears to me as a distinguishing feature for rugs commissioned for the Tibetan market. Also this type of fragmentation (cut exactly in half) is typical of the early Chinese carpets found in Tibet, as if it was divided in two by the heirs.