Description
79219 Antique Red Chinese Art Deco Rug, 08'11 x 11'01.
A masterpiece of opulent heritage and artisanal excellence, this hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Art Deco rug stands as a testament to timeless craftsmanship and luxury redefined. Radiating with iconic allure, its exquisite composition features a magnificent raspberry-red field, gracefully framed by a majestic saffron border—a color-blocked design that celebrates both imperial grandeur and boundless cultural symbolism. With meticulous attention to detail, each motif woven into this piece forms part of a bespoke visual symphony, where timeless motifs and contemporary elegance meet in unparalleled harmony. This is not simply a rug—it is a tailor-made artifact, a canvas of expression that embodies both spiritual refinement and archival prestige.
At the center blooms a celestial prunus tree, or plum blossom, a quintessential symbol in Chinese iconography representing resilience, purity, and enduring grace. Suspended delicately from its dreamlike branches are sacred treasures rendered with high precision—a ruyi scepter embodying wish fulfillment and authority, a radiant lantern symbolizing illumination, and a pair of fluttering bats, or fu, whose presence invokes happiness, fortune, and serenity. Floating with ethereal poise, these motifs convey a visual narrative that bridges dynastic symbolism and modernist sensibility, offering a scene of effervescent tranquility and refined aesthetic. The presence of the Chinese character "壽" (shou)—meaning longevity—alongside "福" (fu), meaning blessing, adds archival depth and sacred significance to this captivating tableau.
Beneath the flowering tree, a harmonious bouquet rises from a vessel adorned with a flowing ribbon, signifying unity between the natural world and cultivated beauty. Blossoming from within are peonies—the aristocrats of flowers—which convey honor, prosperity, and coveted elegance. Lotus blossoms suggest spiritual purity, while chrysanthemums denote long life and autumnal wisdom. These blooms, painted in hues of sapphire, celadon, rose quartz, and imperial gold, are punctuated with softness and fluid grace, each bloom echoing the sublime silhouette of an ink-brush painting. Lanterns, vases, and incense burners around them evoke poetic nostalgia and the prestige of scholarly refinement, rendering the piece a sensory homage to the intellectual elite of bygone eras.
The surrounding golden border, rich in ornamental diversity, is adorned with roundel medallions symbolizing eternity and introspection, while stylized flora—camellias, magnolias, and peach blossoms—weave a story of seasonal cycles and endless renewal. In each corner, archaic vases and incense censers form an iconic mise-en-scène, anchoring the rug’s design with classical gravitas and eclectic refinement. The border is not simply a frame but a luxurious threshold between sacred space and aesthetic contemplation, offering a poised transition from the richness of the universe within to the outer world it adorns.
This exceptional creation is not just a rug—it is a signature statement, a coveted relic that embodies the highest of emotions and the rarity of true artisanship. With its timeless silhouette and sumptuous materials, it invites immersive reflection, offering a refined sanctuary for the connoisseur of elite design. A piece of unprecedented beauty, this work of art stands as an extraordinary tribute to Chinese artistic legacy and Art Deco ingenuity, championing performance, elegance, and heritage in perfect harmony.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in China.
- Measures: 08'11 x 11'01.
- Pile Height: 0.39 of an inch.
- Date: 1920's. Early 20th Century.