77374 Antique Chinese Peking Rug with Tree Design and Chinoiserie Style 09'00 x 11'05. This hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Peking rug features an ornate curvilinear tree of life design spread across an abrashed royal blue field. The tree of life motif is perhaps one of the most prevalent themes used throughout oriental rugs of all cultures. Though the meaning and depiction of the motif can vary between different cultures and religions, the tree and its many branches are often symbolic of the interconnectedness of life on earth and a spiritual link to the heavenly realms. In this particular antique Chinese rug, the winding gnarled branches of a flowering plum tree on each end of the field intertwine, while numerous small birds are perched on the branches or fluttering about. Beloved in Chinese culture, plum blossoms are seen to represent fortitude and resilience, since the long-lived tree blooms brightly during the cold of winter. The inner border features of garland of plum blossoms, peonies, chrysanthemums, and lotuses, which, when appearing together, represent the Four Seasons. This ensemble of flowers also decorate the unique main border, in which scrolling floral vines are accompanied by an assortment of birds, while eight circular cartouches adorn the corners and centers of each side of the border. Each cartouche depicts a phoenix with outstretched wings flying beneath the sun. Phoenixes, known in Mandarin Chinese as Fenghuang, are regarded as a symbol good luck, elegance, virtue, nobility, honor, integrity and peace. Aside from the rich cultural symbolism associated with each image, the plum trees and the array of flowers and creatures appearing throughout are all beautifully rendered in a lovely color palette of sumptuous blues and warm neutrals with soft pastel accents. The expert use of shading gives a great deal of dimension and a naturalistic appearance to the fantastic motifs, creating a wonderful design with undeniable beauty. This lavish antique Chinese Peking rug would be stunning addition to any interior. Rendered in variegated shades of royal blue, ink blue, cornflower blue, true blue, cerulean, sand, almond, flaxen, beige, ecru, lilac, mauve, lavender, rose, peach, and pale pink. Perfect for a living room, dining room, bedroom, front room, studio, office, den, family room, large sitting area, study, library, theatre room, private chambers, great room, music room, or lounge area. Well-suited for a wide range of interior styles: Chinoiserie, Asian Antique, Asian Modern, Chinese, Romantic, Art Deco, Eclectic, Modern, Traditional, Empire, Neoclassical, Regency, Art Nouveau, Colonial Revival, Jazz Age, Hollywood Regency, Japanese, Ming and Qing. Abrash. Hand-knotted wool. Made in China. Measures: 09'00 x 11'05.
