Mid 19th Century W. Chinese Kansu Carpet ( 11'6" x 12' - 350 x 365 )

Ningxia North Central China 17'10" x 17'10" Circa 1850 Warp: cotton, off white, handspun, Z-4-S Weft: cotton, off white, handspun, 2 shoots alternating Pile: wool, 3 strand, handspun Knot: asymmetric, open left, 48 knots per square inch Sides: one cord, offwhite cotton wrapped End: no original finish This is a particularly large example of a Mandarin official’s carpet with a central medallion displaying nine lion dogs collectively symbolic of success on the national Chin Shih examination which provided guaranteed entry into the national administrative bureaucracy and the wealth devolving therefrom. The nine lion dogs are a rebus for success in the national bureaucracy. The apricot ground features 11 full or partial rows of tree paeonies, flower and stem. This carpet is particularly large and clearly was made for a highly placed official or the wealthy family of a recent graduate of whom great things were expected. The principal was probably Buddhist as indicated by the embroidered ball and precious objects in the medallion. The clouds surrounding the lion dogs form a broken, polychrome circle rather than the usual continuous cloud wreath. This is one of the several features indicating a bespoke order rather than a piece made for the market. Another indicator is the exceptional size, as the standard square Ningxia Mandarin carpet is about 12 to 14 feet square. The main border continues the colour combination, with a now apricot ground and paeonies among floral arabesques. The blue inner stripe is unusual with butterflies alternating with paired peaches...

Mid-19th Century W. Chinese Ningxia Carpet ( 4'10" x 5'6" - 147 x 168 )

This antique, circa 1900, Chinese Peking rug has an ivory field with an overall design of indigo-blue angular scrolling vine issuing light blue and indigo-blue flowerheads, in an ivory and indigo-blue interlocking lattice-weave border, inner ivory broad stripe with spaced double floral...

Antique Large Chinese Carpet, Late 19th Century Additional Information: Dimensions: 15'0" W x 16'3" L Origin: China Period: Late 19th Century Rug ID:...