2 x 13 Antique Chinese Ningxia Bench Runner 78455

78455 Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Ningxia Bench Runner, 02'01 x 13'01.

This hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Ningxia bench runner is a regal testament to the artistry of dynastic China, woven with threads of myth and power. Composed of six square panels seamlessly united, each segment unveils a coiled dragon, its serpentine form dancing amidst the clouds. The dragons, rendered in tones of deep blue, cream, and vermilion, are guardians of imperial might—celestial beings revered as symbols of authority, strength, and divine protection. Their sinewy bodies twist around a flaming pearl, representing wisdom, enlightenment, and the ultimate pursuit of harmony.

Each dragon, surrounded by auspicious ruyi-shaped clouds, is enclosed within a meandering Greek-T fretwork border, a motif symbolizing continuity and eternal order. This intricate geometric design frames the mythical creatures like treasured jewels, highlighting the reverence in which they were held. The repetition of dragons along the length of the runner creates a rhythmic procession, evoking a sense of majesty and motion as if these celestial guardians are endlessly soaring across the heavens, bestowing blessings on all who pass.

The Ningxia region, known for its imperial workshops, imbued such pieces with a sacred aura, weaving more than wool—they wove legacy. Dragons in Chinese culture were reserved for the emperor, their five claws denoting sovereignty. Though these dragons bear four claws, they remain potent emblems of noble power, their vivid eyes and outstretched talons alive with ancient energy. The flaming pearl they pursue is not merely a decorative flourish, but the cosmic jewel of truth, a guiding light through the mists of time.

This antique bench runner, once likely gracing a temple or a seat of honor, speaks of the grandeur of a bygone era. Though preserved here as one magnificent whole, these bench runners were often repurposed through the ages, their square panels delicately cut and transformed into individual meditation mats. Each square became a personal sanctuary, a quiet island where a practitioner could sit in stillness, the dragon beneath offering strength, the pearl above guiding toward inner clarity. Yet, as a complete piece, this runner speaks with a fuller voice—a continuous river of spiritual intent flowing through its length, honoring the collective journey of the monastic community.

Now a relic of both artistry and devotion, this Ningxia bench runner bridges the earthly and the divine. Its woven dragons still guard the realms of wisdom and pulse with the vitality of the heavens, its colors softened but enduring, resonating with the chants and meditations it once witnessed, whispering tales of emperors, immortals, and the eternal dance of dragon and pearl. A living testament to the profound rituals of the past, this piece, a poetic relic of imperial splendor, invites us to honor the sacredness of silence, the beauty of continuity, and the eternal dance between power and peace.

• Rendered in variegated shades of blue, khaki, cerulean, beige, sky blue, oat, raspberry red, tan, and glaucous with other accent colors.
• Abrash.
• Hand knotted wool.
• Made in China.
• Measures: 02'01 x 13'01.
• Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.