Chinese Tientsin carpet, $1,870

Tientsin carpet
from eastern China
early 20th century
Size: 350 x 310 cm

List Price: $. 2,750
Sale Price: $. 1,870

Chinese rugs and carpets became popular as decorative floor coverings towards the end of the 19th century and factories were set up in major centres at that time in Peking, Tientsin and Kansu. Traditionally these rugs featured just two or three colours – mainly blue and ivory. Patterns featured Buddhist symbols, realistically drawn cranes, fo-dogs, horses, deer and other symbols of longevity, prosperity and fertility.