Description

This antique Kansu rug dates to the early 20th century. It comes from the northwestern Chinese region of Gansu, which was situated on the Silk Road.

The design language is  typical of the medallion design group of rugs from this area: a not perfectly circular medallion occupies the centre; the blue outer ring of this occurs again as quarters marking out the spandrels. Two vases with a highly stylized plant point towards the medallion, one from each end of the rug. Smaller vases with a spray of flowers decorate the field. In each corner, but inside the spandrels, is a large flower head, almost certainly a peony, from which smaller flowers radiate. The four striped rectangular motifs flanking the central medallion are conceivably a reference to books, one of the four symbols of accomplishment in Chinese iconography.

The inner main border on a soft blue ground is decorated with a meander of T-patterns and swastikas. It is separated from the field by a minor border with a zig zag motif. The outer main border held in soft tones of orange, gold and white is a slightly angular meander around white flower heads.

The colour scheme on this beautiful rug is also typical of Kansu rugs: altogether warm and soft, it features shades of orange, gold, white and blue. The wool is soft, with the pile woven on a cotton ground. The condition is excellent.

This is a very attractive example of its type.

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