CIRCA: 1920’s / 1930
An unusual floral designed piece – from the Baotou-Suiyuan / Inner Mongolian region of China – in that as opposed to the usual predominately overall blue colour used in carpets from this region, it has a un-dyed slightly abrashed brown camel hair center field, which the floral emblems and central medallion appear to float in. The outer dark and light blue main border is somewhat abrashed and consists of interlinked angled swastika motifs, the design of which has been handled very well as can be seen by how the corners all link up perfectly. An inner secondary border features a leaning ‘key meander’ also handled very well reversing the lean at the middle on all sides. One end may look like there has been a colour run, but on close inspection it appears ‘intentional’ (as the warps and wefts are still white, as are the ‘eyes’ of the two corner flowers); one can only assume the weaver may have simply run out / was running out of white wool and hence used a light blue (or a mix of light blue and white?) in its place at that end. Made circa the 1920’s / 1930 the size is 133cm x 67cm and it has cotton warp and weft and the dyes appear natural. The pile side of the carpet is a little dirty and would benefit from being professionally washed/cleaned. Other than that, it is in very good condition and is a somewhat uniquely ‘coloured’ carpet from this region.