CIRCA: 1800 / early 1800’s
A Ningxia seating square displaying the age old Yin and Yang symbol as its central motif*, which was most likely used as a base / seating mat when meditating. The Yin and Yang motif is a symbol that has been used throughout the ages and symbolises light and dark, good and evil, female and male, etc. and how opposite forces are seen as interconnected and counterbalancing to represent harmony. The outer border is ringed with precious jewels, while the main field is made up of an interconnected lattice of swastikas that encompass the central Yin / Yang design. Made circa 1800 / early 1800’s, it has soft glossy wool pile, cotton warp and weft, all natural dyes with still strong colours and the size is 69cm x 68cm. There is wear commensurate with its age with low pile in parts, but overall it is good condition with no repairs or reweaves.
*A similar example can be seen published in the small 1998 catalogue entitled Ningxia Rugs by Teresa Coleman Fine Arts, Hong Kong.