Items Similar to Very Rare 19th Century Rko Ningxia 'Ninghsia' Rug from West China

Antique Chinese Ningxia Rug, 19th Century

Chinese Ningxia Throne Back Rug, 19th Century

19th Century Chinese Ningxia Rug ( 3' x 5' - 4"2 x 162 cm )

Antique Chinese Ningxia Mat Rug, 19th Century

Antique Chinese Ningxia Carpet Rug, Late 19th Century

19th Century Chinese Ningxia Rug ( 3' x 3'2" - 92 x 97 )

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 8

Very Rare 19th Century Rko Ningxia 'Ninghsia' Rug from West China

About the Item

A very rare 19th century RKO Ningxia (Ninghsia) rug from West China A very rare and typical Ningxia RKO rug of the last quarter of 19th century with full pile and very soft wool. Dimensions are: 175 x 80 cm (68.89 x 31.49 in). In very good condition. The striking design of this rug was described by Charles Grant Ellis as having "sonic sound waves" that brought to his mind the logo of the RKO motion picture company, see C.G. Ellis, "Chinese Rugs," Textile Museum Journal II/3, Washington, D.C. 1967, p. 48. So apt was this name that this group has been called the RKO rugs ever since, see Hans König, "The RKO Family," Hali, issue 110, pp. 96-105. The present rug exhibits the customary RKO composition of a central device surrounded by horizontal dashes and vertical strokes with wave and cloud end borders. As in the present RKO rug, the central device is most often a rosette medallion, though in some cases fretworks, dragons or stylized cloudbands, or Yün Tsai T'ou, were used. This specific rug group is discussed in detail by Hans König in his contribution, “The RKO Family“ (HALI 110). The 36 pieces examined are closely related in terms of their design of parallel stripes (RKO design) and small format, but differ widely in age and regional attribution (East Turkestan, Ningxia and Kansu). Their purpose remains a matter of controversy: it is not known whether they served as saddle rugs, altar cloths or meditation mats. The Ningxia example offered here was probably woven in the late 19th century, and has obviously never been used. – Very good condition. Literature:KÖNIG, HANS, The RKO Family. In: HALI 110, London 2000, no. 8. In his article, “The RKO Family” (HALI 110), Hans König discussed this small-format rug group on the basis of 36 examples. He concluded that although these weavings are closely associated in composition, presenting a distinctive design of rows of short parallel bars (RKO design), mountain-and-wave borders at both ends and a central disc medallion, their technical features indicate that they must have been woven in different regions, such as Ningxia, Gansu and East Turkestan. The symbols at the centers of the medallions vary and the purpose of these rugs (saddle base, sitting mat, table rug?) has not been established. Konig reports that the RKO rugs are fairly rare. He expected when he began to prepare his article to find only about 15, but was ultimately able to identify 36 of them. He thinks that most pieces in this group are 19th century or older. He found only two pieces that seem likely to have been made in the early 20th century. He conjectures that some of the pieces he found are as early as the early 18th century, but admits that these estimates are conventional. Less than 60 pieces are known till now worldwide! Artist/Creator: unknown Creation: about 1870 Country: West China Dimension: 175 x 80 cm (68.89 x 31.49 in). Condition: Very good, and ready to present. ??????????????????RKO ??,???????????????:175 x 80 ? ?(68.89 x 31.49 ??)??????? ???·???·???(Charles Grant Ellis)???????????????,???“??”,?? ???RKO ???????,?C.G.???,“????”????????/ 3,?????,1967 ?,?????????,?????????RKO ??,?HansKönig,“RKO ??”,Hali,? 110 ?,?96-105 ???????????????????????????????????? ??RKO ?????????RKO ????,??????????????,????????? ????,???????????YünTsai T'ou? HansKönig ?????“RKO ??”(HALI 110)?,?36 ??????????????????? ???,??????????????,????????(RKO ??),?????????? ??????????????,????????????????,??,?????????? ???????????????,????(??,??,??)????????? Konig ?? ?,RKO ??????????,???????????????15,??????????36? ?????????????19 ????????????20 ????????????????? ???,???????????????,?????????????????,??????? 60 ?!

Dimensions:

Width: 175 in (444.5 cm)Length: 80 in (203.2 cm)

Style:

Chinese Export (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Wool,Hand-Woven

Place of Origin:

China

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1870