Early 18th Century Central Asian Rugs

A beautiful antique Khotan rug with a peach field, and multi-color accents in an all-over medallion geometric design. This rug measures: 6'10" x 13'02".  

A rare antique orange Chinese Tibetan dragon rug likely from a Tibetan monastery. The ornamentation along the top imitates a curtain or a skirt, which indicates it was a pillar rug, ...

A magnificent rare and collectible antique 18th century Chinese Ningxia rug, country of origin / rug type: antique Chinese rugs, date: circa late 18th century. Size: 6 ft x 9 ft 9 in (1.83 m x 2.97 m) Antique Chinese Ningxia carpets have a transcendent quality that has made them highly sought-after since the 17th century. If one were to judge from this excellent 18th-century Ningxia rug, it is easy to see how this came to be so. The level of detail in this antique Chinese carpet is found in very few places around the world. The colors blend harmoniously to show off the fine craftsmanship of this carpet from China. Ningxia is located in a harsh mountainous region are Northwestern China. It borders Mongolia and sits on the plain of the Yellow River, bounded by the Great Wall of China on its Northeastern border. The climate of this region made it perfect for growing strong, yet soft wool. Little is known about antique rugs from this region before the 17th century because of its remote location. A visit from the Kangxi Emperor in 1696 and 1697 brought these carpets to the world. He was struck by the beauty and quality of the carpets he found and decided to establish a royal carpet weaving center in the area. After the establishment of the rug weaving centers of the Royal Court, designs in Ningxia became more formal and reflected the tastes of the Chinese Courts and noblemen. Carpets from the area became a symbol of wealth and power. At the time when this carpet was created, the royal weaving centers had been operating for about 100 years. By this time, Ningxia had become a name that was associated with high-quality antique rugs. This early carpet uses a complex range of blues, rose, pinks, light browns, dark browns and ivory. The design uses subtle shading to give it depth and create areas of shadow and light within the individual motifs. It based on a medallion design with four rondels in the field. It is executed with precision and demonstrates focused attention to symmetry. The center border of the carpet is surrounded by what is known to the Chinese as a cloud and thunder pattern, also known as a meander or Greek key pattern. To the Chinese, this pattern represents the cloud and thunder that brings the life-giving rain and the promise of good crops. It has been found in Chinese art as far back as 1050 BC. The pile of the rug is soft and supple, and it has a fine weave, more like a heavy textile than a carpet. This is one of the qualities for which Ningxia carpets were known. The level of detail and intricacy of the design is one of the fascinating aspects of the rug. For instance, if you look between the regularly spaced motifs in the field of the carpet, you will see that they are not solid, but contain a delicate pattern of precisely executed dots. This carpet has a high knot count, which is what makes the intricacy of this design possible. Another remarkable quality of this antique Oriental rug is its excellent shape that it is in for its age. This suggests that this carpet was well cared for over the past several centuries. This antique 18th Century Chinese Ningxia rug is an example of fine quality craftsmanship and work that was produced by the Ningxia Court rug weavers. The design and colors come together beautifully to create a piece of classic Chinese artwork. It is a special piece that would be a beautiful addition to any Oriental collection...

A rare 11-foot square early 20th-century shabby chic weather textured Chinese rug with a graphic floral Motif in denim blue, accents in white, and...

Antique Afghan Baluch Rug, Early 20th Century Additional Information: Dimensions: 10'2" L x 6'4" W Origin: Afghanistan Period: Early 20th Century Condition: Excellent

Antique Anatolian Kula Prayer Rug, 18th Century Additional Information: Dimensions: 5'7" L x 3'11" W

An early 20th century hand knotted antique Asari rug with a rust field and repeating octagonal design, circa 1920. This rug measures 3'2" x 5'4".

Antique Khotan Rug, Early 20th Century Woven in an oasis town of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, a Turkic-speaking autonomous region in the far west of China, this piece is remarkably faithful to the drawing of much earlier Khotan...

This is an antique felt Tibetan rug woven during the 18th century and measures 154 x 89 cm in size. This is an extremely rare piece that has been mounted on a black backing to preser...

An extremely rare early 20th century pictorial Chinese rug depicting Chinese scholar's objects like potted peonies and chrysanthemums, citron (Buddha's Fingers) with a censor, and a peach, all symbols of longevity and prosperity. The border is wonderful, with a wide floral and vine pattern running in a circular fashion around the rug. The rare quality of this rug lies not in the imagery, but in the color. Most Central Asian rugs utilize crimsons, golds, oranges, and natural brown wools, however this example is woven mostly in varying shades of indigo, reminiscent of traditional Chinese blue and white pottery.

A well-designed modest revival of a Khotan design rug, ideally suited for a ceiling to a floor wall piece. Three grandiose medallions and symmetric motifs in subtle earth tones are a...

Antique Afghan Baluch Rug, Early 20th Century Additional Information: Dimensions: 8'6" L x 4'6" W Origin: Afghanistan Period: Early 20th Century Rug ID: 21808