Large Authentic 19th Century Chinese Gold Beige, Indigo Blue Handmade Carpet BB8488 14'8" × 15'3" $100,000

An early 19th century Chinese antique rug, the gold field with a delicate meandering vinery and scattered blossoms around an indigo key-pattern roundel within a curving leaf border.

Decorative oriental vintage rugs and carpets have been a significant art form within the Chinese culture for many centuries, if not for several millennia. Their history, apart from being long and distinguished, is largely independent of that of the Middle East. First of all, they were woven almost solely for domestic consumption – such separation from Western influences resulted in those large area rugs having truly ethnic Chinese vibe and appearance. It was not until the 19th century, the Chinese started exporting rugs to the world of the West – other goods, such as bronzes and porcelain have already been exported for many years before. Often employing silk textiles, antique Chinese area rugs and carpets were produced in medallion as well as rectangular formats.