CIRCA: 1800’s, prob. 3rd qtr(?)
An attractive and well designed 19th century ‘wasp-wasted’ under-saddle carpet from the Baotou – Suiyuan region of Inner Mongolia. [Wasp-wasted’ is a term used to denote a noticeable narrowing at the center of a saddle carpet – in this example where the two sides are joined in the center by the tie-died-tigma cloth – giving the carpet on either side an almost wing-like appearance.] Besides the overall design pointing to its origin, having four circular girth strap holes – intentionally put there and edged-stitched for the girth straps to fit through – are a feature unique to this region* (as opposed to being square or oblong when seen in under-saddle carpets from almost all other regions of China and Tibet). The off-white main field has three individual floral motifs spaced around a central circular floral roundel, while in each corner is what appears to be a lucky coin depiction and a stylised form of the archaic ‘rams horn’ motif. The primary arrangement in the main border is a cleverly interlinked combination of the good-luck swastika motif and the sauwastika (reverse swastika) inter-spaced with cartouche’s depicting bamboo and other floral designs, while a cartouche containing an ‘endless knot’ anchors either end of the carpet. It has a soft wool pile, cotton warp and weft and the size is 150cm long x 60cm wide (x 51cm wide at the center). Overall it is in good condition for its age and of an origin type not often seen on the market today. Made originally for someone of status and taste, it has been a treasured possession and whether left ‘as is’, or professionally washed to brighten it up, it would be a worthy addition to anyone’s collection.
*For more detailed information about under-saddle carpets from this region see text and photos in Chapter 9, in the very informative book Dragon and Horse by Koos de Jong.