NORTH CHINA, SECOND QUARTER 17TH CENTURY

This early fragment woven at the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1843) gives just a small idea of how amazing the original carpet once must have looked like, with the boldly drawn scrolling arabesques around large peonies. An earlier carpet of similar design and slightly narrower than ours is published by Jon Thompson, Milestones in the History of Carpets, Moshe Tabibnia, Milan, 2006, pp.262-64, pl.29. It is complete with an approximate size of 470 x 202cm. and illustrates the impressive scale of the design worked into the field. Another complete carpet of square format and the same colouring which is later in date is illustrated by Hans König and Michael Franses, Glanz der Himmelssöhne. Kaiserliche Teppiche aus China 1400-1750, exhibition catalogue, London - Cologne, 2005, pp.72-73, pl.10.