Antique US import China carpet | 320cm x 220cm | No. 4648

Floral Antiker US Import Chinese Rug, light red with Medaillon

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 antique US Import Chinese Rug is a collector's item. It is about 90 years old and, therefore, a really special piece. Antique rugs like this US Import Chinese Rug are still very popular and are sold at top prices by renowned auction houses.

Patterns

The luxuriant flower motifs of this US Import Chinese Rug are elegant and varied. The graceful vegetative symbols representing flowers, leaves and branches are artfully intertwined.

In the middle of the central field of this US Import Chinese Rug is the symmetrical center, also called medallion. The design of the field is arranged in such a way that it gives the impression that the medallion is floating on the field.

The background of this US Import Chinese Rug is light red. The beige center combines the colors light green and gray.

Condition

This US Import Chinese Rug has a story. 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

Chinese rugs are hand knotted from silky shiny wool. For the production of high quality Chinese rugs the coat of the Tibetan goat is used. The knot density is, as is typical in Chinese rugs, relatively low and the pile is shorn long.

Wool is obtained through the gentle shearing of sheep. Virgin wool is a sustainable, natural raw material with a number of impressive properties: Due to wool's natural fat content, the surface repels water droplets and is thus naturally impervious to dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, has a regulating effect on the indoor climate and muffles sound. 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.