Antique Ningxia Rug
N°
00235
Period
Circa 1880
Origin
Ningxia, Northern China
Materials
Wool
Status
Available
Size
265 cm x 183 cm8'8" x 6'0"
The painterly effect obtained by mixing varying proportions of ivory and indigo wool is peculiar to this family of northern Chinese weavings. As most of them were sourced directly in China one is led to think that they weren’t intended as export items but rather to satisfy a local commission. They are almost always woven in small formats, sometimes embellished by longevity ideograms or other auspicious symbols. This larger carpet is further distinguished by an ivory border decorated by the shou, the Chinese symbol for longevity.