Vintage Midnight Blue and Beige Chinese Rug BB0901 11'5" × 15'1" $18,000

An early 20th century antique Chinese rug, the midnight blue field with dense cloud shapes and vinery around scattered vine-formed roundels containing flora and fauna within an oatmeal vinery and dragon head border.

Decorative antique oriental 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 carpets having truly ethnic Chinese vibe and appearance. It was not until the 19th century, the Chinese started exporting Vintage 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 rugs and carpets were produced in medallion as well as rectangular formats.