Antique Mongolian Blanket

c. 1940's, Mongolia. Unclouded grouping of five tapestry-woven Fenhuang or Phoenix birds on an ice blue ground. Even bands of soil, slate, peach, and fog hold the composition from top and bottom. On one side are additional hand drawn pencil marks - botanic ornaments - origins unknown and never completed. Vegetable-dyed wool wefts on a cotton warp. Sturdy with thin flexible handle. Some wear throughout, and soft lovely fraying at one end.