Chinese Rugs & Carpets

Antique Chinese carpets and rugs are specifically sought after for their unique literal designs that distinguish from European counterparts. Originally made of wool, Chinese carpets and rugs are typically decorated with symbols of longevity and good luck. Dragons, phoenixes, lotus flowers, and birds are all very common stitched-in motifs.

With the advent of Western trade and influences, the Chinese began to create rugs in large quantities for the purpose of export. The rugs produced during this time, during the 19th and 20th centuries, are mostly considered Chinese Art Deco rugs. While these rugs still have many of the same Chinese aesthetics in regards to form and color, traditional rug making was largely abandoned for more commercial practices.

Quick Facts

• Chinese carpets and rugs tend to have uneven or coarse knotting as the value lies more in the quality of the image rather than the quality of the rug itself
• During the 1920s to 1930s, American Walter Nichols established an Art Deco rug making practice in China. These rugs are distinguishable by their bold colors and exotic patterns
• Evidence of the creation of rugs in China can be seen on early Tang Dynasty paintings from over one thousand years ago. These rugs were much more monochromatic, featuring blues and beiges rather than bold, bright colors