CIRCA: 1800’s / 19th C. first half
This magnificent seven roundel runner (i.e. long carpet) is, unlike many of this particular design type on the market today, fully intact; that is this carpet is the original woven length and has not been shortened and the ends replied*. The seven roundels have an outer mandala like shape, while at the center is what is no doubt a stylised ‘double dorje’, around which is a floral pattern. The overall peach coloured main field contains an almost ‘rice grain’ or ‘diamond-like’ blue pattern, and on close inspection each blue coloured ‘diamond’ is at the heart of what appear to be four flower-like ‘petals’. Quite the unusual design. The very outer secondary border contains pearls, the burnished yellow main border contains the running swastika design, while the inner secondary border has a ‘speckled’ look to it, and several narrow guard stripes round out the border arrangement. It was made in the Ningxia region of China in the first half of the 19th century / 1800’s, the size is 437cm x 67cm, it has cotton warp and weft, and is backed with blue cotton cloth. It has been in the one collectors possession since the early 1970’s and this is the very first time for sale on the open market since being bought ex-Tibet over 50 years ago. The colour combination is beautiful and there are no reweaves, repairs or stains. A collectors piece of a type rarely seen on the market and in very good condition!
* The colour change in the ‘speckled’ inner secondary border (and inner-most guard stripe) towards one end (that starts opposite the final roundel), which at first glance may appear to be an indication of an extension / reweave, is simply a change (i.e. lightening) in the colour of the light blue wool used in that section. It is definitely not an extension or reweave! High resolution photos, both front and back side, proving beyond any doubt whatsoever that there has been no alteration / reweave there are available to the serious buyer.