CIRCA: 1900 / early 1900’s
The classic design* of carpets from the Baotou area of Inner Mongolia is the deer and crane under or next to a tree, as depicted here, all in various shades of blue – including the main field and all borders – ranging from a very dark blue to a pale greyish blue. (Various shades of blue can clearly be seen from the close-up photos of the back.) These carpets were made to be viewed from either end so that whichever end you looked from one of the scenes was facing the viewer. The main border is the interlocked swastika design, while the inner border is of pearls. It was made circa 1900 / the early 1900’s, has cotton warp and weft and the size is 131cm x 67cm. It is in very good condition with the ends folded over and secured and no repairs or reweaves.
*A very similar example can be seen on page 71, in the book Carpets from China, Xinjiang and Tibet by Lennart Larsson Jnr.