Antique Dragon Peking Carpet
N°
00609
Period
Circa 1900
Origin
Northern China
Materials
Wool
Status
Available
Size
351 cm x 270 cm11'6" x 8'10"
A central, five-clawed dragon (the symbol of both the forces of nature and the Chinese emperor), is surrounded by four other dragons, all floating on an indigo blue background. At both ends, a pair of dragons flank a flaming pearl (symbol of wisdom). The entire composition as well as the cloud band and wave border are typical of nineteenth-century Ningxia carpets, although the rendering of the design, the blue /ivory palette and the very fine knotting are characteristic of early twentieth-century Peking weaving.