FAQs

Don’t vacuum it; gently detangle and hand-brush with a soft brush. For deeper cleaning, isolate the fringe and use a mild solution sparingly.

Use suction-only or the gentlest setting and avoid the fringe. Strong beater bars can fray edges, pull knots, and damage tassels.

Blot immediately with a white cloth, then dab a wool-safe detergent or diluted white-vinegar solution after a hidden colorfast test. Avoid scrubbing and over-wetting.

Wool Peking rugs handle traffic well with proper pads and care. Avoid heavy use on silk-pile examples and place those in low-traffic rooms.

Most Peking rugs have wool pile on cotton warps/wefts; some include silk highlights. Knot type varies (symmetrical and asymmetrical appear), with medium weaves common.

Peking rugs skew more formal and palace-ready; Ningxia rugs feel softer with simpler fields and gentle tones. Both share Chinese symbols but differ in handle and look.

Peking rugs are traditional and symmetrical with limited colors; Art Deco Chinese rugs (1920s–30s) use bold, asymmetrical motifs and saturated hues. Deco pieces are often linked to Nichols workshops.

Peking rugs typically feature restrained palettes—soft indigos, ivory, camel, and muted gold. Blue-and-ivory combinations are especially iconic.

Common emblems include the shou character (longevity), bats (good fortune), cranes and deer (long life), and lotus (purity). Groupings like five bats symbolize the “five blessings.”

Flip it over: you should see individual knots and fringe that’s part of the warp, not sewn on. Slight irregularities and mirrored backside patterns are good signs.

Yes—“Peking” is the older English name for Beijing, so Peking rugs and Beijing rugs refer to the same tradition. Dealers often use both terms interchangeably.

Peking rugs are hand-knotted Chinese (Beijing) carpets known for serene blue-and-ivory palettes, auspicious motifs (dragons, bats, shou), and balanced layouts. Most use wool pile on cotton foundations.