Authentic 19th Century Chinese Botanic, Beige, Blue Handmade Wool Carpet BB3574 12'4" × 15'9" $28,000

A late 19th century Chinese rug, the oatmeal field with rows of unusual leaf forms in indigo and honey within a honey angular vinery and floral motif border.

“Vintage” is a ubiquitous term frequently applied in the world of rugs and carpets. Vintage rugs are quite often confused with antique rugs. The difference between the two is often ambiguous. Just what is vintage and what is antique? To clarify this quandary, vintage carpets and rugs are defined by the time they were designed and crafted; they’re generally made after 1920. On the other hand, antique carpets come from a time before then, so, generally, they were made more than 80 years ago. Age is a primary distinguishing factor, but even this a fluid one. The dividing line changes as time goes by. For example, a vintage rug will someday be an antique. Vintage carpets and rugs are often linked to the origins of Modernism, so they can be more accurately placed in this category, given the association with the cultural, philosophical, and artistic elements of this movement.