Oriental carpet, Peking (China) – 167

Description

Oriental carpet, Peking (China)

Period: 19th century
Dimensions: cm 302 x 483

Despite its millennial history, China does not have a comparably long tradition of knotted carpets. It was not until the late 1500s, in fact, that court-sponsored production began, under the last emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Most of these carpets were made with polished wool pile, but smaller numbers were made with silk pile. The vast range of Chinese carpets illustrate the whole of Chinese civilisation, and the components parts of their designs depict Chinese philosophy, Buddhist and Taoist religious symbols, the costumes of courtiers, dignitaries and common people, the four gentlemanly virtues, and houses and gardens complete with furnishings and accessories.
These artefacts were also decorated with floral motifs, although in a rather stylised form.
Classic colours inform the elegance of this large, refined carpet, with its beige background, and red and blue decorative motifs.
These include bats, which symbolise happiness, long life and good fortune, and together with clouds are associated with the concept of power. The carp, meanwhile, symbolises success in business, happiness, prosperity and good fortune.