Old US import China carpet | 133cm x 66cm | No. 13518

Geometric Alter US Import Chinese Rug, dark blue with border

Place of origin

It is likely that rugs were known very early on in China. The invasion of the Mongols around the year 1279, who not only carried Central Asian rugs with them, but also used them as tents and saddlery, boosted local production in China, which probably already existed at that time. An exhibition in Saint Louis in the USA in the year 1903 sparked interest in Chinese rugs among the Western world. Soon afterwards, rugs were produced in China solely for export to Europe and North America.

American Chinese rugs, which were knotted especially for the American market between 1900 and 1940, are considered a special kind. The colors and patterns of the American Chinese rugs are more minimalistic than traditional Chinese rugs and have been adapted to the US-American style of furnishing of that time. Only a few pieces from the USA reached Europe. Therefore the so-called American Chinese rugs are very rare in Europe. This old US Import Chinese Rug is more than 40 years old and a true collector's item.

Patterns

The color scheme of this China rug is artistic, despite its limitation to a few shades. The refined arrangement of decorative elements is particularly striking in the overall design. The proportions are spacious and appear modern due to the spaced-out arrangement. Typical motifs are dragons, vases, peonies on abstract leaves and tendrils. The motifs are often found in central or corner medallions. At the edges there are often geometrical representations, especially swastikas, which are interwoven. The motifs are similar to those on Chinese porcelain, made during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Minimal technical variations in the production of classical Chinese rugs is a sign of strict tradition, which follows established rules. Despite the rather coarse execution, the pattern is executed with exceptional precision.

The edge of the rug is decorated with an edging (border). The border forms a glorious contrast to the center.

The abstract, geometric composition creates the simple elegance of this US Import Chinese Rug. The pattern flatters the design of the room and does not take the attention away from its furniture, decoration and architectural elements. It blends in fantastically with any surroundings and subtly complements the interior design of a room..

The background of this US Import Chinese Rug is dark blue. The border features dark blue and light blue.

Condition

You are not the first to appreciate this US Import Chinese Rug. It has had owners before you who have cherished and used it. It was hand knotted about 1930. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it lovingly. Therefore it is in very good condition despite its age.

Material

The technique used to dye the wool of the pile of this US Import Chinese Rug is over 200 years old. Dyeing with natural or plant-based dyes is more complicated, expensive and time-consuming than dyeing with chemical dyes. For a bright red, for example, you would need about one kilogram of ground madder root as dye per kilogram of wool. For a strong, not too pale yellow, you would need two kilograms of dye per kilogram of wool. Spinning wool is also time-consuming and labour-intensive. In addition, fewer and fewer people are able to spin wool by hand.

But the effort is worth it; high-quality wool retains its natural fat content when dyed with natural dyes. Natural dyes create fascinating, iridescent patterns. The charm of hand-spun wool with its slight irregularities and natural shades unfolds in rooms that are furnished in a more traditional or country house style but also as a contrasting element in modern interiors. The weft and warp threads of this US Import Chinese Rug are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and stretchable and, therefore, ideal for a durable backing fabric.