Antique US import Chinese rug | 393 x 303 cm | Nr. 20538

Antique US Import China rug, dark red with motif and border

Origin	China
Dimensions	393 cm x 303 cm (= 11.91 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	120.000
Pile height	14mm
Year of manufacture	1910
Colour	Dark red, dark blue
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

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 110 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 edge of the rug is framed by a decorative border. The border forms a beautiful contrast with the centre.

The pile is kept in a single shade of dark red. The pared-back design is restrained, yet it can also set a wonderful accent. The monochrome look of this rug sits beautifully in any setting.

Condition

This US Import China rug has a story to tell. It was hand-knotted around 1910. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with great care. Despite its age, it is therefore in very good 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 weft and warp threads of this US Import China rug are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.