77230 Antique Chinese Peking Rug, 09'00 x 11'04.
A Symphony of Seasons: Antique Chinese Peking Rug of Timeless Harmony
Bathed in the serene glow of antiquity, this hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Peking rug captures the poetic essence of China’s Four Seasons — a tapestry of nature, philosophy, and imperial grace. Woven in the early decades of the 20th century, it embodies the height of Peking craftsmanship, where each knot was guided not merely by design but by devotion. Against a luminous cream field, delicate floral motifs unfurl like verses of an ancient poem, each branch a meditation on life’s enduring rhythm. This is not a rug meant to be seen — it is meant to be contemplated, much like a scholar’s scroll or a garden in bloom beneath the moonlight.
At the heart of this masterpiece lies a medley of four sacred blossoms — the lotus, the peony, the chrysanthemum, and the plum blossom — woven together upon the same branch to form an allegory of harmony. The lotus, rising unsullied from muddy waters, speaks of purity and transcendence. The peony, lush and regal, symbolizes wealth and beauty. The chrysanthemum, steadfast through autumn’s chill, represents wisdom and longevity, while the plum blossom, blossoming bravely in winter’s frost, embodies endurance and renewal. Together, they form a celestial cycle of nature’s perfection, a visual philosophy rendered in silk-soft wool and time’s gentle patina.
The composition is framed by an exquisite border of midnight and sapphire blue, where the floral garland continues its procession amid symbols of prosperity — ancient coins, the auspicious Shou character for long life, and vases representing peace and fulfillment. This outer frame serves not merely as ornamentation but as architecture for meditation: each motif positioned with harmonious proportion, each hue chosen for its resonance of yin and yang, balance and blessing. The artistry of the border reveals an understanding of both visual rhythm and spiritual geometry — a union of beauty and meaning that only Chinese artisans could achieve with such restraint and grace.
To possess this antique Peking rug is to hold a fragment of China’s cultural soul — a handwoven expression of philosophical elegance and imperial refinement. Its tranquil palette, balanced composition, and profound symbolism render it equally suited to the grand serenity of a collector’s study or the curated intimacy of a contemporary salon. It is not simply a decorative piece, but a legacy of civilization’s quiet pursuit of harmony — where art, nature, and wisdom are forever intertwined.
- Rendered in variegated shades of tan, navy blue, brick red, brown, ink blue, terra cotta, royal blue, gray, rust-salmon and taupe with other accent colors.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in China.
- Measures: 09'00 x 11'04.
- Date: 1900s. Early 20th Century.
