Antique Chinese Carpets - Making You Proud of Your Home
Article by Doris Leslie Blau
Carpets and rugs are something that has been an integral part of Chinese homes since centuries. In fact, if you check out some of the ancient Chinese paintings you could find these carpets in bright red and blue colours on the walls and floors in the background. And China being a large country with a huge population, the rug makers and weavers never had to look for a market outside the country. Most of the antique Chinese carpets were made mostly for use within the country and this continued to remain so until the 19th century. Some of the earliest examples of these carpets are believed to be created around the first half of 17th century during the reign of Ch'ung Chen, the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Though Chinese carpets fall under the category of Oriental rugs, they are still different from their Persian and Indian counterparts. First, as they were made for internal consumption mostly, antique Chinese carpets follow the traditional styles and patterns that had been followed through centuries from generation to generation. In other words, unlike the Persian or Indian rugs they were not modified and changed to suit the tastes of the Western society and are therefore ethnically Chinese in their appearance and make. Second, the designs on the these carpets are often literal and depict exactly what they are meant to depict unlike other Oriental carpets that were mostly symbolic.
Chinese carpets of the antique period mostly follow a decorative style with rich colours and intricate designs. If you are in search of a carpet that can add a touch luxury and colour to your rooms, these antique carpets are the perfect solution for you. They are usually very soft, plush and thick. They come in different sizes and shapes and are therefore suitable for different surfaces. You could find Chinese carpets made of cotton, wool, silk or a combination of all these.
Antique Chinese carpets come with different designs, predominantly the classic dragon, a mark of Chinese folklore and traditio! n, as we ll as Chinese zodiac signs and other local arts and crafts of the region. Some of the other elements that you would find on the these carpets are lotuses, phoenixes, peony, koi fish, etc. Chinese carpet makers gave importance to their designs more than the material itself. For this reason today you can find many antique Chinese carpets with elaborate and beautiful designs with coarser weaving.
Are you looking for a carpet that can be a matter of pride for you? Then nothing would work better than antique Chinese carpets, for your guests are going to fall in love with them at the first glance. The plush feel, beautiful designs and good quality would make these carpets an asset that you can be proud of and create a strong statement about your interior decor.
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