Carpet with lotus flowers
NingxiaAlg
Northwest China Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
257 x 180 cm (8’5” x 5’11”)
Alg 770
asymmetrically knotted wool pile open to the left on a cotton foundation

A rare and beautiful early Chinese carpet, characterised by an infinite repeat of parallel and offset rows of blue and ivory lotus blossoms, symbols of purity, on a two-tone yellow background. The archaic, somewhat angular style of drawing, seen here particularly in the treatment of the peony and tendril border, is the distinguishing feature of the weavings of the Kangxi period, which marks the beginning of the golden age of carpet weaving in China. Influenced by the development of the arts during the preceding Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Kangxi carpets are a celebration of a stylistic maturity that manifests itself in a refined plethora of archaic patterns which are tastefully juxtaposed to create what should be considered among the most elegant weavings from the East.

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