WEST CHINA, CIRCA 1850

Details

A KANSU CARPET
WEST CHINA, CIRCA 1850
The shaded rust-red field scattered with diagonal rows of small circles around stylised flying birds flanking a central panel containing leafy vine enclosing a hooked panel centrepiece, roundels above and below of similar design, stylised hooked spandrels, in a rust-red border of vine meander between blue and ivory stripes, outer hooked panel and striped border, slight wear, minute surface stains
11ft.9in. x 6ft.2in. (356cm. x 188cm.)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Not much has been written on the subject of Kansu carpets, and that which has admits to several uncertainties in the attribution. One feature however which seems to be a favourite of carpets attributed to this centre is the field of small roundels seen here. This, coupled with a more Chinese style of drawing of the other motifs than one would normally find in rugs from East Turkestan, such as the wave and cloud border, and particularly the bats around the central roundel, are also thought to be strong indicators of a Kansu attribution. A similar rug is published by John Taylor and Peter Hoffmeister: "Xinjiang Rugs", Hali 85, March/April 1996, pl.14, p.97.

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