Early 20th Century W. Chinese Baodou Carpet ( 6 6" x 7 - 198 x 213 )

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 Rug ( 2'4" x 2'4" - 70 x 70 )

This elegant Chinese carpet utilizes a traditional Chinese medallion surrounded by auspicious motifs including scholars’ scrolls, plants and butterflies. The spacing of ornament with...

Antique Chinese Ningxia Carpet Rug, Late 19th Century This elegant Chinese Ningxia carpet draws a central roundel composed of lotuses flanked by slightly smaller roundels of the sam...