Antique US import Chinese rug | 141 x 67 cm | Nr. 18840

Geometric antique US Import China rug, beige yellow with medallion

Origin

Rugs were probably known in China very early on. The Mongol invasion around 1279 – the Mongols carried Central Asian rugs with them and used them as tents and saddlery – gave a boost to the local production that most likely already existed in China at the time. An exhibition in Saint Louis in the USA in 1903 then awakened interest in Chinese rugs in the Western world. Soon afterwards, rugs were being made in China purely for export to Europe and North America.

A special case are the so-called American China rugs, which were knotted between 1900 and 1940 specifically for the American market. The colours and patterns of American China rugs are more restrained than those of traditional China rugs and were adapted to the US interior style of that period. Only a very few pieces ever found their way from the USA to Europe. That is why so-called American China rugs are especially rare here. This antique US Import China rug is a collector's piece. It is around 100 years old, and that alone makes it a truly special piece. Antique rugs like this US Import China rug are as sought after as ever and fetch top prices at renowned auction houses.

Pattern

The colouring of this China rug is artful – even though it is pared back to just a few shades. The refined arrangement of the decorative elements works especially well within the overall composition. The proportions are generous, and the floating arrangement gives them a modern feel. Typical motifs are dragons, vases and peonies on abstracted leaves and tendrils. The motifs often sit in medallions placed in the centre or in the corners. Along the edge you will frequently find geometric forms, above all interwoven swastikas. The motifs resemble those on Chinese porcelain made during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The small degree of technical variation in the making of classic China rugs is a sign of a strict tradition that follows set rules. Despite the fairly coarse execution, the pattern is worked with exceptional precision.

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this US Import China rug its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the way a room is arranged and never draws attention away from the furniture, the décor and the architectural details. It creates a pleasant atmosphere without dominating the style of the room.

At the heart of the central field of this US Import China rug lies the symmetrical centre, also known as the medallion. The design of the field is subordinate to the medallion, so that the medallion seems to float on the field.

The background of this US Import China rug is beige yellow. The border is worked in dark red and beige yellow. In the dark red centre, lilac and gold are combined.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this US Import China rug. It had owners before you who valued it and used it. It was hand-knotted around 1920. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good, though only partly restored, condition. Some of the fringes on this piece will need renewing. We have not fully restored this US Import China rug because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If that is what you would like, we will of course happily carry on restoring it for you. We can bring almost any rug back to near-perfect condition.

Material

China rugs are hand-knotted from silky, lustrous wool. For our high-quality China rugs, the wool is obtained by gently shearing live sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a number of impressive properties: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is naturally proofed against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The knot density is relatively low – as is typical of Chinese rugs – and the pile is left long.

The foundation (weft and warp threads) of this US Import China rug is made of new wool.