Antique Knotted Chinese Rectangle Ivory Room Size 1920s Wool – Peking Rug, Circa Date: 1920s. This monumental Chinese Peking carpet, dating from the early Republican era, exemplifies the sophisticated weaving traditions of the period. Its generous dimensions classify it as a true room size rug, designed to anchor a substantial living space with imperial elegance.
The composition is defined by a striking contrast between the expansive, subtly shifting field and the bold, saturated indigo elements. The use of a luminous ivory color field provides a neutral yet warm foundation, allowing the deep navy border and the central motifs—stylized dragons enclosed in circular cartouches—to command attention without overwhelming the space.
Unlike many contemporaneous designs featuring single centralized medallions, this piece utilizes five large, repeated cartouches containing highly stylized mythical beasts. While the arrangement is highly structured and balanced, the repeated placement of these motifs across the field creates a sense of continuous movement, bordering on an allover design aesthetic.
The craftsmanship is evident in the finely executed borders, which feature complex Greek key meander patterns and subtle guard bands, framing the central tableau with precision and depth. This Peking piece is a superb example of early 20th-century Chinese weaving, offering collectors a refined and historically significant addition to the realm of antique rugs.
