Antique US import Chinese rug | 685 x 100 cm | Nr. 17360

Floral antique US Import China runner, light brown with border

Origin	China
Dimensions	685 cm x 100 cm (= 6.85 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	90.000
Pile height	4mm
Year of manufacture	1920
Colour	Light brown, silver grey
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 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 ornate border forms a wonderful contrast with the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

The lavish floral motifs of this US Import China rug are elegant and full of variety. The graceful plant symbols, depicting blossoms, leaves and branches, are artfully intertwined.

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.

The repeating elements of this US Import China rug have no specific centre. The recurring repeat pattern feels calming without ever being dull. Rugs with a repeat pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The background of this US Import China rug is light brown. The border is kept in light brown.

Condition

This US Import China rug has a story to tell. This extraordinarily long old Chinese runner is in mixed condition. Roughly in the middle you can make out a cut, or rather a seam, where the rug was evidently put back together, presumably after it had been shortened. The fringes and edges also need a little attention. Despite these flaws the overall impression is good and by no means neglected. It was hand-knotted around 1920. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. It is therefore – despite its age – 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.