In February 2019 Sotheby’s London held an exhibition showcasing nine antique tiger rugs, dating from 1860, 1900 and 1900–50 respectively; these were lent by Nelly Frize, Mimi Lipton, David Sorgato and anonymous private collectors. Five in this group were for sale, ranging in price from £22,000 to £30,000 (some of the proceeds going to TX2), and the designs included a flayed tiger, two double tiger rugs, and two abstract stripe and pelt designs.
Tibetan rugs cannot be properly introduced without a brief discussion of the Tibetan plateau, the highest plateau in Asia. There is a fundamental uniqueness that cannot be duplicated. That is, the plateau’s isolation is indigenous to a few animals and plants. Because of the high altitudes, usually well over 2500m, it is cold and the air lacks oxygen. Tibet is very unique with the Tibetan sheep and yak can live only at high altitudes. Designs of Tibetan rugs have largely been influenced by Chinese designs and sometime incorporated traditional folk motifs.