9 x 11 Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug 77452

77452 Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug, 08'11 x 11'06.

Like a moonlit garden glimpsed through the veil of twilight, this hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Art Deco rug unfurls with dreamlike elegance and symbolic depth. The navy blue field acts as an endless night sky, richly saturated and gently glowing, setting the stage for a choreography of blossoms and birds that seem to float in delicate harmony. A red inner border provides warmth and contrast, embracing the nocturne scene within. The antique rug’s composition is asymmetrical yet balanced, its poetic flourishes inspired by the Shanghai Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s, where traditional Chinese aesthetics met the refined lines and saturated palettes of modern design.

Blossoms bloom in exquisite profusion, weaving a lyrical arc from corner to corner. Plum blossoms, peonies, lotuses, and chrysanthemums — together, the Four Gentlemen — symbolize the four seasons and embody virtues of resilience, beauty, purity, and longevity. The plum blossom, winter’s herald, emerges defiantly from barren branches, symbolizing endurance. The peony, lush and generous, signifies spring’s return and connotes prosperity and honor. The lotus rises unsullied from murky depths, a beacon of summer’s purity, while the chrysanthemum, autumn’s gold, speaks of serene aging and the grace of decline. Interspersed among these florals are sinuous vines and dainty berries, dancing as if caught in a breeze — their placement suggesting both freedom and divine order.

Suspended from the top edge, an ornate hanging lantern delicately anchors the composition, embodying light, hope, and festivity. Below, songbirds flit midair with wings outstretched, while another pair of mandarin ducks rest peacefully along the lower border, nestled amidst reeds and water lilies. In Chinese symbolism, the mandarin duck represents marital harmony and fidelity, while birds in flight often symbolize transcendence and spiritual freedom. Each creature is rendered with painterly softness, their presence not merely decorative but imbued with meaning — guardians of the virtues that blossom across the rug’s surface.

The taupe outer border, stippled with scattered florals and sprigs, acts like a garden wall draped in ivy — both framing and softening the composition. Vases brimming with blooms emerge along the margins, vessels of peace and abundance. Though rooted in symbolism, this piece breathes with a modern sensibility: a refined interplay of color, form, and void. With its richly dyed wool, luminous surface, and masterfully balanced design, this rug stands not just as a textile but as a portal — into a garden of auspicious beauty, where every bloom whispers tradition, and every motif sings of love, endurance, and eternal joy.

• Rendered in variegated shades of ink blue, taupe, navy blue, tan, ecru, red, royal blue, purple, pistachio, sand, olive, and coffee with other accent colors.
• Desirable Age Wear. Abrash.
• Hand-knotted wool.
• Made in China.
• Measures: 08'11 x 11'06.
• Date: 1920's. Early 20th Century.