CHINA, 19TH CENTURY

During the 19th century carpet production in China was prolific. The weavers found work in centres like Ninghsia, Kansu and Sinkiang and with the constant movement of weavers and the copying of traditional motifs from regions afar it is no wonder that carpets such as this have characteristics that relate to more than one weaving centre. The silk pile with its very glossy effect is further enhanced by the addition of silvered brass or copper wire which is woven on to the structure relates to those made for the various complexes within the Imperial Palace. As it bears no inscription whatsoever its raison d'etre becomes curious. It may well be part of a group that carries with them the Central Asian influence and a housed within the north east quadrant of the inner court of the Forbidden City. There were areas within where Central Asian and Tibetan children were being trained for government service and it is has been suggested that there may have been 'nationality rooms'. Haskins, J: Imperial Carpets from Peking, The Duke University Museum of Art, Exhibition April-May 1973, Durham, North Carolina. For examples that relate please see Franses, M. and Pinner, R: 'The Chinese Carpet Collection',Hali,Vol.5 No.2, pp.142-148, Ill.10. Franses and Pinner suggest that this is not dissimilar to those woven for the Imperial Palaces in Peking. Also see Berinstain,V.,Day,S.,Floret,E.,Galea-Blanc, Gelle,O.,Mathias,M,. Ziai,A,.Mikaeloff,Y.,Alcouffe.,Great Carpets of the WorldNew York, page 217.It is suggested here that this carpet could have been made for the palace of a high Chinese dignitary.