CIRCA: mid 1800’s
This left facing blue dragon pillar carpet with a burnished golden background was made in the Ningxia region of China specifically to wrap around a pillar, or column, in a Buddhist monastery’s large meditation hall, so that it appeared the dragon encircled the pillar. Across the top is a simple ‘T meander’ strip beneath which hang stylised lanterns. The five clawed dragon is then depicted amid scattered clouds chasing the elusive ‘Flaming Gem’, while at the bottom are stylized waves, clouds and mountains, with the fabled Mt Meru at the center. Of note are the dragons prominent horns, thick ‘mane’, hot breath and bushy tail. Size is 207cm x 78cm, it has cotton warp and weft, and was made sometime in the mid 1800’s. It was ‘originally’ purchased from a Tibetan national in Kathmandu, Nepal, circa 1970 and has been in that same collectors possession ever since. Now in our possession, this is the very first time it has been for sale on the open market since he bought it over 50 years ago. It is in very good condition with no stains, colour runs or reweaves / repairs. ALREADY SOLD.
The photo at bottom of the center column featuring two pillar carpets – right and left facing dragons – with this carpet juxtaposed against another ‘similar’ but longer pillar carpet featured here https://warpandweft.club/portfolio-item/ningxia-item-22/ shows how these type of carpets would have been arranged facing each (when wrapped around opposing pillars).