Lot Essay
A very similar carpet is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Dimand, M. and Mailey, J.: Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, no.199, p.338 and fig.268), although the field motifs in the present carpet are more complex, being formed of four linked cloud-motifs. The same field design as in the Metropolitan Museum example is also found in a smaller rug advertised by the Textile Gallery (HALI 30, April/May/June 1986, pp.68-9), previously sold by Sotheby's New York (5 November 1983, lot 192), and a long carpet (Herrmann, E.: Antike Teppich und Textilkunst, Munich, 1991, no.77, pp.162-3). While discussing a further rug of this design in the Tiffany Collection, the authors point out that the pattern and the motifs which it encloses symbolise longevity (Antique Chinese Rugs by the Tiffany Studios, Rutland, Vermont, 1969, pl.VIII and p.84).
There is some mention of Chinese rugs in chronicles of the Kangxi Emperor of 1696, stating that they were made in the town of Ninghsia and that some were brought back for the empress. Other documentation on the subject is very scant. A short article published by Michael Franses gives the outlines ('Early Ninghsia carpets', HALI, Vol.V, no.2, pp.132-140); other authors have gone some way to addressing the issues. The absence however of written sources or early European depictions makes precise attributions difficult.
There is some mention of Chinese rugs in chronicles of the Kangxi Emperor of 1696, stating that they were made in the town of Ninghsia and that some were brought back for the empress. Other documentation on the subject is very scant. A short article published by Michael Franses gives the outlines ('Early Ninghsia carpets', HALI, Vol.V, no.2, pp.132-140); other authors have gone some way to addressing the issues. The absence however of written sources or early European depictions makes precise attributions difficult.