Chinese Rugs

By: john alis

China has produced hand-knotted rugs for thousands of years.
There are reports of rugs being woven in north-central China, in
the area around Ningxia, as early as 1696. However, there was
never a real rug industry until the 1860’s when workshops were
set up near Beijing and rugs were commissioned by the imperial
court. In the 1920's and 30's, rugs were produced for the
American market in factories in Hebel and Shandong provinces,
and took on Art Deco designs. These rugs were woven by hand, but
the workshops were highly organized with foreign companies
controlling all phases of the production. Many rugs from this
period had plain grounds of pearl grey or navy with wide
solid-color borders and simple floral spray design elements. In
the mid-twentieth Century the Chinese government controlled the
carpet factories, and rugs were carved in a variety of designs
using pastel colors. Most of these rugs are made in state-owned
co-operatives in and around Tianjin. Contemporary Chinese rugs,
called “Sino-Persian,” are influenced by Persian designs.

Chinese rugs are primarily influenced by Buddhism, Taoism and
Confucius. Unlike other oriental rugs, Chinese designs are very
literal and most of the motifs used have very exact meanings.
For instance, a common motif that comes in form of a medallion
or a border component is the Shou character, which symbolizes
long life. The Fu character, which is less common, means good
luck. Instead of the Fu character, bats are frequently used to
symbolize good luck. Butterfly means luck and a happy marriage.
Dragon means power and authority. Phoenix represents peace and
happiness. Peony symbolizes nobility, wealth and love. Lotus
means purity. Pomegranate is symbolic of fertility. Fish means
abundance. The Swastika pattern has several meanings including
happiness, the heart of Buddha and the number 10,000. The
Chinese fret, which is created by repeating swastikas, means
10,000 happiness, and the cloud motif symbolizes a wish. Chinese
rugs can be divided into two groups: carved rugs or
Sino-Persian. Both are pile woven. Chinese carved rugs are made
of wool and cotton and are distinguished by their thick and
lustrous nap and embossed Art Deco or French Aubusson design.
They most often use soft pastel colors and uncomplicated floral
designs. However, red, navy and emerald greens can also be
found. Sino-Persian rugs have a closely clipped nap and have
elaborate, intricate floral designs and are not embossed.

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

john alis was born in long island in 1970. he write articles and childern books. he now lives in holand.

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