5 x 8 Vintage Chinese Tang Dynasty Rug 74866

74866 Vintage Chinese Tang Dynasty Rug, 05'00 x 07'11.

This hand-knotted wool vintage Chinese rug features six rectangular pictorial vignettes floating on a patterned backdrop reminiscent of ancient Chinese stone carvings. Inspired by weavings from the Tang Dynasty, this vintage Chinese rug combines traditional symbolism with high style and a well-balanced composition. Each vignette features a scene of a bird perched on the branch a flowering tree. The center two vignettes feature tree peonies, while the outermost four feature plums and plum blossoms.

In Chinese culture, peonies are seen to represent unparalleled beauty, love and affection, and have long been regarded as a symbol of wealth and honor. Plum blossoms represent long life as well as fortitude and resilience, since the long-lived tree blooms brightly during the cold of winter. Birds typically represent happiness, and when pictured with peonies and plum blossoms, they represent the wish for a joyful spring. The lovely border repeats the stone carving motifs from the central composition along with pairs of phoenixes on either side of a large blooming lotus flower. Phoenixes are amongst the most treasured of Chinese symbols, representing auspiciousness, elegance, virtue, nobility, honor, integrity and peace. The lotus symbolizes purity and perfection, since its clean vibrant blooms emerge from the mud of swamps and marshes. A gorgeous color palette based around creamy neutrals and soft pinks and purples elevates and enhances the serene beauty of the piece’s scenic designs. With its depth of meaning, elegant composition, and beautiful detailing, this stately vintage Chinese rug would add a sophisticated touch to any interior.

• Rendered in variegated shades of tan, sand, lavender, mauve, rose, lilac, sky blue, rust, and brown with other accent colors.
• Abrash. A few spots.
• Hand-knotted wool.
• Made in China.
• Measures: 05’00 x 07’11.
• Date: 1980s. Late 20th Century.