79213 Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug, 08'10 x 11'03.
Bathed in the glow of ruby red, this hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Art Deco rug unfurls like a tranquil evening scroll, steeped in elegance and layered with symbolic beauty. Its minimal yet evocative design captures the spirit of Chinese visual poetry—a quiet narrative told through careful placement of natural and scholarly motifs. At its heart, the vast red field evokes the warmth of fading daylight, while a slim black border gently frames the scene, lending it structure without constraint. The composition flows asymmetrically, inviting the eye to wander from one moment to the next as though meandering through a garden in thoughtful contemplation.
In the upper right corner, a slender tree branch drapes gently across the field, bursting with delicate plum blossoms—harbingers of winter’s end and timeless emblems of perseverance and grace. A phoenix-like bird perches upon the branch, serenely observing the world below. In Chinese symbolism, plum blossoms represent resilience in the face of adversity, while birds often symbolize freedom and fidelity. Beneath the bough, an ornate lantern entwined with flowering vines and pendant tassels hangs like a blessing suspended in air, its graceful form conjuring associations with celebration, enlightenment, and good fortune. The play of balance and tension—between earth and sky, stillness and movement—infuses the scene with poetic resonance.
Across the lower left quadrant, an assembly of scholarly objects rests with dignified serenity: a tall pedestal, an open scroll, a brush pot, and vases brimming with flowers. These emblems of learning and cultivated taste speak to the values of Confucian refinement and artistic endeavor. Nearby, birds flit mid-flight across the expansive red field, lending the scene a gentle energy and suggestion of transience. Their elegant forms, painted with restraint, seem to hover just above the Chinese Art Deco rug’s surface, guiding the viewer's gaze from corner to corner, tying the elements together with lyrical grace. In the upper left, stylized ruyi clouds swirl beside a rising moon, symbols of harmony and wish fulfillment, hinting at celestial influence over this grounded world.
What makes this piece so striking is its restraint—its ability to tell a richly symbolic story with spaciousness and breath. The absence of dense patterning amplifies the significance of each element, allowing the viewer to engage with each symbol intimately and with reflection. This antique treasure trove, likely influenced by the sensibilities of Shanghai Art Deco from the Early 20th Century, embodies both the innovation of modern design and the enduring legacy of classical Chinese art. As a decorative piece, it brings not just beauty to a space, but also a profound sense of calm and cultural depth—a woven tableau that captures the harmony of nature, scholarship, and spirit.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in China.
- Measures: 08'10 x 11'03.
- Pile Height: 0.34 of an inch.
- Date: 1920's. Early 20th Century.
