Mongolian Weavings

The exact source of carpets termed “Mongolian” is unclear.  Certainly these carpets were woven in the Chinese style, with their fret borders, shou medallions, and other far-eastern motifs.  Mongolian rugs, however, are bolder and simpler, course of weave with a peculiar rough, hairy, pile that does not take dyes the way purely Chinese pieces do.  Traditionally, these rugs were dyed only with organic colors derived from indigo, saffron, sumac, turmeric and pomegranate.

The overall look is somehow provincial.  Sizes tend to the square with 10′ x 10′ being especially popular.  All pieces available in the current market seem to be 19th Century.  Few, if any, earlier carpets of this kind are actually preserved, but are represented in illuminated Chinese manuscripts, appearing similar to examples available today.

Most Mongolian rugs have a high percentage of open space, with even the decorative elements often showing the plain ground through their design.  What they lack in finesse compared to Peking, or even NingXia pieces, is however compensated by a direct, unmediated approach with no extraneous elements.

to view these rugs on our website, use the following links:

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19152/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19123/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/21019/ & 21020 (sold as pair)

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19586/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19655/

*research & writing by Peter Saunders & Katrina Mauro

Weavings of Khotan

Located in the southern region of Xinjiang, the innermost of the trio of Silk Road Cities (with Kashagar and Yarkand), Khotan weaves carpets mostly in the 6’0″ x 12’0″ size.

These pieces have mostly recognizable Chinese iconography, borrow some central Asian elements (such as the gul), and are made with brighter colors and distinct wool and handle.

Later examples use synthetic dyes which have been treated to mellow the colors.  Although this later period is not collectible, it is much in demand decoratively.  The geometric designs and, and neutral tones, found in many Khotan rugs makes them a versatile option for modern decor.

A few smaller rugs and chair seat pieces (2′ square) are also encountered, as well as the occasional basket design or pictorial piece.

For more information on these rugs, please follow these links to our website:

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19222/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18996/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/17703/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/40-1242/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/17414/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20046/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20047/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/17404/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20049/

*research and writing by Peter Saunders & Katrina Mauro.

Antique Rugs of China: Art Deco

The term Art Deco refers to the style launched at the 1925 Paris World’s Fair Exhibition of Modern and Industrial Decorative Art.  Woven between the wars for the Western Market by mostly American owned firms, especially Nichols and Fette, Chinese Art Deco rugs (as the name implies) were made in thick heavy weaves using strong colors, assymetric patterns, and downplaying the Chinese-ness of the carpet.

Nichols rugs are more strong toned than the pastel Fette.  In 1924 W. A. B. Nichols introduced the now world renowned “Super Chinese Rug”. These rugs were known in most markets as the most durable and beautiful product of the modern Chinese weavers art.  The reason that Nichols Super Rugs may have been so unique to themselves, is that every last part of the process was done by Nichols Company, in house.  Most were woven in the coastal port city of Tiensin, though other lesser known workshops were also active.

Helen Fette initially went to China as a missionary, selling small rugs to raise funds for various charities. Teaming up with Chinese rug manufacturer Li Meng Shu to form the Fette-Li Company, the pair started producing rugs out of the Peking area in the early 1920s, becoming one of the largest exporters of the period. Fette rugs usually have a floppy feel because the cotton warps are thinner and more pliable than those used in Nichols carpets, resulting in a soft, limber feel.  Many of the designs, over viewed by Fette, were taken from Chinese emroidery, or inspired by traditional Chinese motifs.

Both Fette and Nichols companies used fabric tags on the back of their rugs for identification purposes. Nichols also stamped “handwoven in China by Nichols” onto the backside of the fringe, however if the fringe has worn or been repaired, the mark will be absent. Because Fette and Nichols were so closely associated with the Deco period, rugs woven in their trademark style, without any identifying marks, are routinely referred to as Fette or Nichols style.

Some pieces are ultra-geometric and haute-Deco moderne in character: these are very rare.

More frequent are pieces with bits of Chinese ornament: vases or other precious objects, paeonies, vines, fences, etc.

Most common is the 9’0″ x 12’0″ size, in colors never found in mainstream Chinese rugs: backgrounds in black, mauve, purple, hot pink, orange, olive, employing the best synthetic chrome dyes of the period.  Prices are still reasonable and carpets in top condition are available.

to view these rugs on our website, please use the following links:

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/21017/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19573/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19778/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20278/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/40-986/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18310/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20997/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20756/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20300/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19482/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/20446/

*research and writing by Peter Saunders & Katrina Mauro

Antique Carpets of China: NingXia

The Western Chinese province of NingXia has a mostly Muslim population and is the source of many of the oldest Chinese carpets of the modern era (Ming Dynasty and later).

The designs are typically Chinese: fretwork or Greek key borders, paeony palmettes, bats, butterflies, Fu Dogs, clouds, dragons, shou symbols, etc.  Pillar carpets designed to wrap around monastery columns and displaying a dragon above waves are a specialty.

The weave is course and soft, with several wefts between knot rows, and a longish pile.  Yellow golds, dark and light blues are common colors.  The outermost plain border on pre-1800 examples is a corrosive brown.  Formats include large square “throne” carpets, parallel meditation runners, chair seats, and scalloped backs.

to view these rugs on our website, please use the following links:

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/17029/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18355/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19168/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/19952/

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/40-503/

Research & writing by Peter Saunders, edited by Katrina Mauro.

Woven Arts of China: Antique Rugs

Archeological excavations have produced rugs from the Han Dynasty China, and carpets have been woven continually in China proper since the Ming Dynasty.  Antique carpets available today are principally from three sources.

NingXia, in Western China, wove softly textured, loosely woven pieces with corrosive plain brown outer borders in the early examples, often in large square sizes, with foo dog medallions, cloud wreaths, paeonies, and ornamental patterns of bats or butterflies.  Dragon pillar carpets were created especially for monasteries, as were runners in panel designs.

In the later 19th Century, workshops were established in Peking weaving the ever popular blue-and-white color scheme with Chinese motifs including precious objects, complex fretwork, or floral borders and elaborate medallions.

In the 1920s Tientsin on the Pacific Coast wove Art Deco style pieces with strong colors, minimal Chinese elements, and heavy textures.  Prices for antique rugs vary immensely.

Production today remains sizeable in China and any size and style may be ordered, including copies of very fine Persian silks.

To view these rugs on our website, please see the following links:

NingXia: http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18663/

Peking: http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/17029/

Art Deco: http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18588/

*research and writing by Peter Saunders, edited by Katrina Mauro.

#18092 Kerman: Circa 1880

Rug #: 18092

Origin: SE Persia

Type: Kerman – Laver

Size: 8’5”X 16’

Weave density: 10 H X 12 V ~ appx 110-120 KPSI

Warp: hand spun cotton

Weft: hand spun cotton

Pile: wool

Sides: 2 ply wool

Circa: 1880’-1890

Main Colors:  Ivory, soft yellow, soft green, wine red, navy blue, medium blue and rose.

The present carpet originates in SE Persia, specifically the Ravar region of the Kerman province.  The town and surrounding regions have a long history of rug making, dating back to at least to the beginning of 16^th century.

The pattern of the piece is based on classical Persian gardens, with each medallion representing a different section of the garden, organizing them according to the types of trees and flowers.

Because of its location in a mountainous region of SE Persia, the breed of sheep found here have long produced the highest quality of wool.  For this reason, the rugs coming from this region have all been produced using the most lustrous and luxurious wool, which over time has improved just by simple process of being walked on.

Kerman’s and related type rugs such as Ravar and Yazd carpets are amongst the most sought after antique carpets in today’s market. Their gracious size, subtle color combinations, and fanciful patterns make them appealingly adaptable to room settings of varied décor.

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18092/

#17874 Kerman: Circa 1900

Rug #: 17874

Origin: SE Persia

Type: Kerman

Size: 8’9”X 18’

Weave density: 8 H X 10 V ~ approximately 80-90 KPSI

Warp: hand spun cotton

Weft: hand spun cotton

Pile: wool

Sides: 2 ply wool

Circa: 1900’-1910

Main Colors:  Ivory, navy blue, medium blue and nutmeg.

The present carpet originates in SE Persia, specifically the Kerman region of the Kerman province.  The town and surrounding regions have a long history of rug making, dating back to at least to the beginning of 16^th century.

The pattern of the piece is inspired by fabrics and shawls which were made locally and exported globally.  The dense overall floral pattern of this piece is referred to as Mille-Fleur.

What makes Kerman rugs interesting is that each pattern was used only limited number of times and was not used again, this was a way to avoid having the same pattern repeated, and add variety to their weavings.

Because of its location in mountainous region of SE Persia,  its breed of sheep produced the highest quality of wool.  Hence, the rugs coming from this region all have the most lustrous and luxurious wool which over the span of decades have improved just by simple process of being walked on.

Kerman’s and related type rugs such as Ravar and Yazd carpets are amongst the most sought after antique carpets in today’s market. Their gracious size, subtle color combinations, and fanciful patterns make them appealingly adaptable to room settings of varied décor.

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/17874/

Sultanabad: Circa 1900

Rug #: 18876

Origin: North Persia – Arak region

Type: Sultanabad

Size: 9’’6” X 10’2”

Weave density: 60 knots per sq inch

Warp: cotton

Weft: cotton

Pile: wool

Sides: 3 ply wool

Circa: 1900’s

Main Colors: olive-lime green, medium rust, ivory, navy blue, pale yellow.

This carpet originates in the Mahal district of the Arak region in NW Persia. It was most likely made for export to European or North American markets because of its size and color combinations. The town and surrounding regions have a long history of rug making, dating back to at least to the beginning of 17th Century.

What makes Sultanabad carpets distinctive, and highly desirable, are their bold designs which are always based on classical Persian rugs, along with a good array of pastel colors, which are enhanced by the lustrous mountain wool. This particular piece is distinctive because of its soft and uncommon combination of colors paired with a rare pattern.

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/18876/

Chinese Art Deco: circa 1930

#40-986

Chinese – Art Deco

8’0″ x 10’0″

circa 1930

As seen in ‘Art Deco & Modernist Carpets’ by Susan Dry (page 94)

 

In the 1930s, the demand for handwoven rugs, which could not be made in the United States, caused a surge of industry overseas, especially in China.  There were major factories opened in Beijung and Tientsin.

This particular design is the child of the Fette-Li Company of Beijing China.  The Fette-Li Company was set up in 1919 by Helen Fette in Partnership with Chinese weaver Li Meng Shu.

Many of the designs, over viewed by Fette, were taken from Chinese emroidery, or inspired by traditional Chinese motifs.  This pine tree design is one of their more distinctly Art Deco pieces.

 

http://www.rahmanan.com/inventory/show/40-986/