77446 Antique Chinese Peking Rug with Romantic Chinoiserie Style 06'02 x 08'08.
This hand knotted wool antique Chinese Peking rug is a rare and distinguished treasure, woven with the symbolic poetry of Qing Dynasty artistry. At its heart, a round open medallion blooms with stylized lotuses, radiating serenity across an abrashed beige field, the gentle striations of color adding depth and history to the surface. The medallion is encircled by an ensemble of auspicious motifs—bats, peonies, chrysanthemums, and leafy tendrils—each chosen with intention to convey blessings of prosperity, longevity, beauty, and joy. This is not merely a rug, but a woven invocation of fortune and harmony, reserved for the most esteemed of homes.
The artistry of this exquisite work of art is steeped in symbolism: bats, representing happiness and prosperity, signal that this signature piece was created not for export, but for the domestic Chinese elite, where such imagery held sacred resonance. Peonies, the “king of flowers,” stand for wealth, rank, and honor, while chrysanthemums embody endurance and long life, their blossoms unfurling like an eternal autumn. Every flourish is more than ornamental—it is an emblem of prestige, belonging to a cultural language that only the initiated could fully decode.
Extraordinary details crown this composition, with large peonies in the corner spandrels stylized in butterfly-like form, suggesting transformation and renewal. Around the perimeter, the border unfolds as a living garden: alternating peonies and butterflies dance in poetic rhythm, while an inner garland of plum blossoms—symbols of resilience and purity—frames the field with quiet dignity. The interplay of midnight indigo and soft beige creates a regal palette, one that captures both the depth of Chinese tradition and the restraint of timeless design.
Owning an exceptional masterpiece such as this is to inherit a fragment of cultural legacy, one that bridges art, philosophy, and history. Scarce in today’s market, this antique Peking rug stands as both a symbol of status and a vessel of meaning—woven not only with wool, but with the very aspirations of a refined society. For the collector of rare treasures, it is not merely a furnishing, but an heirloom of social and spiritual good, offering beauty, prestige, and a lasting connection to the artistry of China’s golden age of weaving.
- Abrash. Desirable Age Wear.
- Hand-knotted wool.
- Made in China.
- Measures: 06'02 x 08'08.
- Date: 1910's. Early 20th Century.
