Ivory Chinese – Peking Rectangle Knotted 1890s Room Size Antique Wool Rug, Circa Date: 1890s. This exceptional late Qing Dynasty Peking rug exemplifies the refinement of turn-of-the-century Chinese weaving. The expansive field is rendered in a soft, faded gray-mauve, providing a subtle backdrop for the central iconography. The overall aesthetic leans toward muted elegance, perfectly suited for modern interiors seeking ivory color rugs with depth and history.
The composition is anchored by a striking central oval medallion featuring a highly stylized Fenghuang (Chinese Phoenix) perched amidst blossoming branches and stylized clouds. This powerful mythological creature is rendered in rich shades of cobalt and teal blue, contrasting sharply with the subdued field. The border continues this naturalistic theme, utilizing delicate trailing vines and scattered blossoms, classifying it as a masterful example of antique floral rugs.
Woven from high-quality, lustrous wool, the rug exhibits the characteristic thick pile and soft handle associated with the finest Peking productions. Its generous dimensions ensure it functions beautifully as a foundational element in a grand living space or formal dining room, making it a highly desirable room size piece for collectors and designers alike.
The sophisticated use of negative space, combined with the precision of the knotting, speaks to the high caliber of the workshop that produced this piece over 130 years ago. Such well-preserved examples from this specific period are increasingly rare, representing a significant acquisition for those curating a collection of important fine antique rugs.
