A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
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Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a fil… Read more
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET

CIRCA 1900

Details
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
CIRCA 1900
Of 'Five Dragon' design, overall very good condition
10ft. x 8ft. (303cm. x 244cm.)
Special notice
Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
Sale room notice
Please note that this lot should be marked with a filed square ▪. As such the lot will be removed to Cadogan Tate after the sale. For further information please contact the department or see the Storage and Collection pages at the back of the catalogue.

Brought to you by

Sara Plumbly
Sara Plumbly

Lot Essay

The four Chinese characters in the upper, outer wave border read; 'Yu Yong', which refers to the Temple of Heaven within the Forbidden City, Beijing.

The vermilion or 'Chinese-Red' ground of the present carpet has a long tradition within Chinese culture and is regarded as being highly auspicious. The ruby-red shade was regarded by Taoists as the colour of life and eternity and therefore was often used to make potions meant to rejuvenate and heal, no doubt greatly shortening the lives of the elites who drank them. It was also a key component to perhaps the most legendary vermilion product, Chinese lacquer, which lead to the term, 'Chinese-Red'.

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