Doris Leslie Blau Oversized 1820s Antique Chinese Rug with Auspicious Medallions

Oversized 1820s Antique Chinese Rug with Auspicious Medallions Size: 18'6" × 19'1" (563 × 581 cm) This exceptional oversized antique Chinese rug from the 1820s is a rare and majestic example of early Qing Dynasty textile...

Antique 1860s Chinese Peking Rug Size: 11'0" x 11'3" (335 x 342 cm) This exquisite antique Chinese rug, dating from the 1860s, is a superb representation of the refined craftsmanship...

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...

Beautiful antique Chinese Art Deco rug 13 x 12, hand knotted wool with a dark blue field, tan frame and a multi-color accents in a subtle all-over Classic ...