CHINA, CIRCA 1820

Details

A NING HSIA PILLAR RUG
China, circa 1820
The golden yellow field with scattered cloudbands around a dragon holding a pearl in one claw, stylised frothing waves below, very good condition, bound along sides and ends
7ft.9in. x 4ft. (236cm. x 122cm.)

Provenance

(by repute) Heinrich Jacoby, Zehlendorf.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

In Chinese pillar dragon carpets the iconography typically shows the dragon winding itself around the pillar and chasing the pearl of wisdom which is infuriatingly just out of reach. The dragon depicted in the present rug is unusually successful; he has the pearl safely grasped in his claw. Rather than enjoy this momnent of victory however, he has decided that he must remain in character and look ferocious!

The drawing of the head of this dragon is very similar to that on a pair of similar rugs dated to the early nineteenth century (depicting less successful beasts) in the Te-Chun Wang Collection (Antique Chinese carpets, the Te-Chun Wang Collection, Basel, 1978, pls.22 and 23).

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