To welcome in the auspicious year of the dragon, Altfield Gallery will be putting on display a collection of striking Tibetan rugs which includes a group of dramatic dragon design.

For the Chinese people, the Dragon is a powerful symbol of courage, able to ward off evil and protect wealth. One of the strongest and most auspicious of symbols it's protective energy is harnessed by capturing its image on textiles and carpets, to ward off harm and assure safekeeping.

These scare rugs from Tibet were owned by the Tibetan elite, who used them to sit on, and also to cover their luggage on long journeys. They demondstrate a wide range of diversity, creativeity and modernity in their design.

Among the carpets on display are those showing the influence of Chinese mythology with full representations of the Drago