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Lot Essay
The overall design of staggered rows of stylised clouds is a perfect example of Kangxi design, where a single motif is used effectively, through colour and tone, to create multiple layers without compromising balance and space. The auspicious cloud motif carries great significance particularly in traditional Chinese painting and is considered a symbol of celestial mobility, acting as a vehicle for both gods and immortals. Scrolling clouds are associated with deities, foretelling their arrival. Based on the highly symbolic motifs used, this exceptional Chinese rug was probably made as a cover for a raised dais that typically would have been reserved for an important guest and used on specific occasions.
The dark indigo field of the present carpet beautifully highlights the alternate facing rows of clouds, while the golden yellow border, once a saturated red, is filled with a meandering stem of peonies set between an inner fret-design and an outer corroded plain dark brown frame. Michael Franses considers this carpet to belong to a particular group of early Ningxia weavings which share a number of features including an indigo field, a slightly higher pile and a looser weave than other carpets of this period, which may suggest that they were woven in a different, and presently unidentified, village or workshop, (see M. Franses, Classical Chinese Carpets in Western Collections, London, 2002, p.28. pl.13.)
For related indigo-ground Ningxia carpets from this group see, The Dunn 'Clouds and Cranes' dais cover, Michael and Judy Steinhardt Collection, New York, (The Textile Gallery, HALI, 49, 1990, p.95); the 'Elephant' fragment, Woven Gardens, Jim Dixon collection, Bonhams Skinner's, 19 October 2022, lot 1; 'Double dorje' seating mat, Sotheby's New York, 9 March 1995, lot 74.
The dark indigo field of the present carpet beautifully highlights the alternate facing rows of clouds, while the golden yellow border, once a saturated red, is filled with a meandering stem of peonies set between an inner fret-design and an outer corroded plain dark brown frame. Michael Franses considers this carpet to belong to a particular group of early Ningxia weavings which share a number of features including an indigo field, a slightly higher pile and a looser weave than other carpets of this period, which may suggest that they were woven in a different, and presently unidentified, village or workshop, (see M. Franses, Classical Chinese Carpets in Western Collections, London, 2002, p.28. pl.13.)
For related indigo-ground Ningxia carpets from this group see, The Dunn 'Clouds and Cranes' dais cover, Michael and Judy Steinhardt Collection, New York, (The Textile Gallery, HALI, 49, 1990, p.95); the 'Elephant' fragment, Woven Gardens, Jim Dixon collection, Bonhams Skinner's, 19 October 2022, lot 1; 'Double dorje' seating mat, Sotheby's New York, 9 March 1995, lot 74.