Boston - March 04, 2005

Well Grounded

Inner Asia Rugs

It’s the oldest story in the world: Boy leaves his homeland, boy attends Dartmouth College and becomes international banker, boy returns to his native Tibet and saves the country’s proud tradition of hand-woven rugs forever.

Okay, so he’s not exactly your prototypical local boy made good. But through his international company, Inner Asia, Kesang Tashi has managed to revitalize production of previously impossible-to-get Gangchen rugs (some of the globe’s most unquestionably beautiful) and — luckily for us — make them available in Boston.

Spun and woven by nomadic weavers, the rugs are made of Tibetan Highland sheep wool, which means thick, plush fibers and stunning luster. And the patterns veer from traditional florals and surreal fruit trees (to brighten any traditional room) to more contemporary takes in geometric shapes and shimmery abstract forms (the perfect foil for modern spaces). Not bad for a custom that dates back to the 11th century, eh?

One for the ancient storybooks, to be sure.

Inner Asia, available at Landry and Arcari, 333 Stuart Street, between Berkeley and Arlington Streets, Back Bay (617-399-6500 or innerasiarugs.com).