Antique Chinese Oriental Carpets 44829

Chinese Rug, China, Early 20th Century - This arresting antique Chinese is the epitome of the reserved elegance synonymous with Chinese court weaving. The design of the entire carpet, border and field alike is made up of see-through fretwork octagons. In the field they are arranged in staggered rows with diagonal effects achieved by the varied use of color. In the border the color alternates in series, with broad guard stripes to define the border's framing function. The palette is restricted to mid- and pale-blue, mauve, taupe, and the cool gray tan of the ground. There is great complexity here, but it is subtle.