Antique Chinese Peking Carpet

Period: 19th Century
Origin: China
Dimensions: 280 x 370 cm

This rare 19th century antique Chinese Peking carpet highlights a powerful and rhythmic floral composition featuring a central lobed medallion and eight surrounding floral sprays anchored within a luminous ivory cream field. This structural balance between the expansive un cluttered ground and the symmetrical arrangement of stylized “shou” or longevity inspired botanical motifs reflects the pinnacle of the Peking weaving tradition during the late Qing Dynasty. Carpets of this antiquity are world renowned for their sophisticated use of negative space and their ability to translate traditional Chinese scholarly aesthetics into a luxurious textile medium.

The color palette is masterfully balanced featuring a primary ivory field that serves as a dramatic canvas for high contrast shifts of royal blue sapphire indigo and soft blush pink. These rich and enduring tones achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 130 years ago exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest late 19th century Chinese workshop productions. The inclusion of a wide midnight indigo primary border decorated with a rhythmic sequence of classical “Greek Key” meander and scrolling foliate motifs creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and distinctive technical finesse of the weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand spun local wool with a characteristically thick soft pile and a substantial resilient handle. The exceptional clarity of the curvilinear outlines specifically the intricate “Ruyi” cloud head patterns within the corner spandrels and the precisely rendered floral hearts and the presence of significant harmonious abrash throughout the blue sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece as an authentic Peking carpet. Ultimately this rug stands as a premier example of East Asian decorative art representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1063

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