Antique Room Size 1890s Chinese Ivory Rectangle Knotted Wool – Peking Rug, Circa Date: 1890s. This exceptional late Qing Dynasty weaving exemplifies the restrained elegance characteristic of Peking production, offering a sophisticated counterpoint to more densely patterned antique rugs of the period.
The expansive main field is rendered in a soft, luminous ivory color, which provides a perfect canvas for the sparse, yet highly detailed, cobalt and indigo blue motifs. This deliberate use of negative space allows the eye to appreciate the quality of the wool and the precision of the knotting, a hallmark of fine late 19th-century Chinese craftsmanship.
Traditional Chinese iconography dominates the composition, featuring scattered vases, potted trees, and symbolic objects arranged symmetrically around a central, geometric medallion. The overall effect is a refined display of floral rugs and scholarly motifs, executed with a delicate hand that avoids visual clutter.
As a true room size rugs, this piece is ideally proportioned for modern living spaces requiring both grandeur and subtlety. The complex border system, featuring alternating Greek key patterns and stylized cloud bands, frames the composition beautifully, ensuring this Peking masterpiece remains a timeless statement of decorative artistry.