CIRCA: 1800
A rare intact matched ‘set’ of Qing Dynasty saddle carpets, i.e. for under and above the saddle, made in the Ningxia region of China.* On either side of the main field of the under-saddle carpet there is a central floral medallion surrounded by flower arrays and then enclosed by an inner border of pearls, while the main outer border has a simple diamond shaped flower pattern. The above saddle carpet features the same floral roundel, surrounded by a similar but ‘heavier’ floral array while each corner is anchored by fretwork. Made sometime circa 1800, or at latest the early 19th century, the warp and weft are cotton, the colours – consisting of varying shades of gold / yellow and blue – are from natural dyes, and the white is from un-dyed wool. There are wear holes in the under saddle piece as can be seen in the photos, while the above saddle piece also shows wear commensurate with age through the center, and a small piece missing out of one end border guard (easily repairable), all corresponding with being both loved and well used over the years. This set would suit a collector as it is rare to find a matched saddle carpet set of this age on the market today (and would look fabulous professionally backed and framed, then wall mounted). ALREADY SOLD
*A similarly coloured Ningxia under saddle carpet with a vaguely similar main field can be see on page 96, plate 7.14, in the must-have book for saddle carpet enthusiasts, Dragon and Horse by Koos de Jong.