CIRCA: early 1800’s
A Ningxia seating mat displaying the age old Yin and Yang symbol as its central motif*, which was either used as a base / seating mat when meditating, or on a small altar. 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 in the early 1800’s / 19th C. it has 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 but overall it is good condition.
*A similar example can be seen published in the small 1998 catalogue entitled Ningxia Rugs by Teresa Coleman Fine Arts.