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Lot Essay
Charles Grant Ellis first coined the phrase 'RKO' in 1967, when discussing the design of a Chinese rug in the Textile Museum. His description of the dynamic 'stroke and dash' field design as being akin to the famous sonic waves of the RKO Picture Inc. logo was so apt that the term has stuck (see Charles Grant Ellis, 'Chinese Rugs', Textile Museum Journal, vol II/3, Washington DC., 1967, p.48).
The 'RKO' rugs are defined as an idiosyncratic group of rugs woven by weavers in Ningxia, Kansu and Khotan. Whilst often differing dramatically in their appearance, the group share a number of design characteristics, such as the dynamic 'stroke and dash' field pattern, a bold central medallion, small format, similar tonal palette and the majority have bold end panels in the place of a conventional border. The configuration of the design of the present rug relates to a number of the rugs illustrated in Hans König, 'The RKO Family', Hali 110, May-June 2000, pp.96-105. In the König article figures 1, 5, 6 and 8 are particularly similar to the present rug, each having similar end borders and peony wreath medallions, although the drawing is noticeably different across the four different published rugs. König identifies figures 1 and 8 as Ningxia and figures 5 and 6 as Kansu. Due to its colouration and drawing the present rug was undeniably woven in Ningxia.
Many of the RKO group typically measure no more than 5ft. by 2ft.6in which would suggest that they were woven for a specific purpose. Contemporary writings record the use of similar rugs as alter covers, where the central panel would fit the top of the alter while the pelmet decoration at either end would hang down at the front and back, (Sandra Whitman, 'Articles of Faith', Hali 194 Winter, 2017, pp.67-69). Two of the earliest examples of this small group are considered to be from the late Ming period; one sold in these Rooms, 23 April 2103, lot 97, the other sold at Rippon Boswell, 24 November, 2012, lot 86, published Eberhart Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich- und Textilkunst 1, Munich 1989, no.70. A further example containing a geometric fret-work medallion with confronting dragons and similar spandrels , considered to have been woven in the late 18th century, sold at Grogan's, 20 January 2013, lot 226.
The 'RKO' rugs are defined as an idiosyncratic group of rugs woven by weavers in Ningxia, Kansu and Khotan. Whilst often differing dramatically in their appearance, the group share a number of design characteristics, such as the dynamic 'stroke and dash' field pattern, a bold central medallion, small format, similar tonal palette and the majority have bold end panels in the place of a conventional border. The configuration of the design of the present rug relates to a number of the rugs illustrated in Hans König, 'The RKO Family', Hali 110, May-June 2000, pp.96-105. In the König article figures 1, 5, 6 and 8 are particularly similar to the present rug, each having similar end borders and peony wreath medallions, although the drawing is noticeably different across the four different published rugs. König identifies figures 1 and 8 as Ningxia and figures 5 and 6 as Kansu. Due to its colouration and drawing the present rug was undeniably woven in Ningxia.
Many of the RKO group typically measure no more than 5ft. by 2ft.6in which would suggest that they were woven for a specific purpose. Contemporary writings record the use of similar rugs as alter covers, where the central panel would fit the top of the alter while the pelmet decoration at either end would hang down at the front and back, (Sandra Whitman, 'Articles of Faith', Hali 194 Winter, 2017, pp.67-69). Two of the earliest examples of this small group are considered to be from the late Ming period; one sold in these Rooms, 23 April 2103, lot 97, the other sold at Rippon Boswell, 24 November, 2012, lot 86, published Eberhart Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich- und Textilkunst 1, Munich 1989, no.70. A further example containing a geometric fret-work medallion with confronting dragons and similar spandrels , considered to have been woven in the late 18th century, sold at Grogan's, 20 January 2013, lot 226.