Gorgeous Pictorial Antique Chinese Foo Dog Area Rug, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: 1880 – Gorgeous antique Chinese rugs, such as this example from the late 19th century, are treasured for many reasons. The gorgeous blues and ivory background create a feel that reflects the natural setting depicted on this artistic pictorial rug. This is a truly magnificent piece for its subject matter, composition, and several other elements that make it stand out.
The Chinese people have always had a reverence for nature and the calm serenity that it brings. Through the ages, their artwork has captured this same tranquil feeling in the colors, motifs, and placement of the symbols. This rug from China is a smaller size area rug and may have been designed to be hung on a wall and viewed as an antique wall hanging tapestry rather than used as pother typical floor covering area rugs.
The Chinese foo dog design are placed at each of the four inner corners of the field. They are so beautifully rendered and look as if they floating on top of, or placed right over, the rest of the field’s Chinese wan design pattern. These artistic Chinese food god lions are, as if, looking intently towards the two figures situated in the center of this antique Chinese rug.
One other subtle yet fascinating design is seen in the inner guard border. As we examine more closely the pattern in blue, which is set against the cream colored background, we will start to see the iconic Chinese dragon design. This is created in the most subtle and somewhat cryptic ways where only the head and one eye are visible in each of the independently floating inner guard motifs.
This is a fascinating antique rug for several reasons, and it would be a perfect piece for your Asian-themed room. It is a more traditional Chinese rug that reflects the ideology and symbolism found in many examples of Chinese artwork throughout the ages. Magnificent and artistic area rugs such as this are exceptionally rare finds for your collection or home’s interior design.