Chinese Art Deco Carpet
From the large output of Chinese carpets from Tianjin during the 1930s, only a very few are decorated by geometric patterns typical of the Art Deco period. Some of these extremely rare pieces are known to have been designed by artists such as Betty Joel, who would then commission the weaving to American companies with headquarters in China such as Nichols or Fette. The carpet illustrated here is distinguished by an open field decorated around its perimeter by geometric motifs in a manner typical of the Art Deco period. The subtle palette of violet, beige, salmon and forest green is far removed from the traditional Chinese use of colour, conveying a profoundly European sensibility. This would indicate that it was specially commissioned to an unknown designer for an Art Deco interior.