CIRCA: 1950 or before
A Chinese ‘pillar carpet’, so-called because they were made specifically to wrap around columns or ‘pillars’ in a Buddhist monastery,* with the dragon portrayed in disjointed ‘segments’ so as when the carpet was wrapped around a column / pillar, it appeared that the dragon was writhing around that column / pillar. In this impressive yet minimalist design the golden scaled dragon is depicted in the clouds chasing the Precious Jewel, with the dragons head and flowing lion-like mane and long whiskers very well drawn. The disembodied ‘heads’ across the top represent Dzeepa’s**, mythological creatures that serve as protective guardians intended to ward off evil, while hanging beneath them are small banners (or stylised lanterns) with pearl necklace’s strung between them. Clouds, mountains and waves – with the mythical Mt Meru at the center – anchor the bottom, while a pearl border, and above it a simple T-shaped meander, anchor the top. Made sometime circa the 1940’s / 1950, the warp and weft are cotton, the colours are quite pleasing and the size is 220cm x 98cm. A beautiful carpet and in excellent condition.
*The Ningxia region in Northern China provided monasteries throughout China, Mongolia and Tibet with large numbers of pillar carpets with wrap-around dragons soaring above mountains and waves and this is a well drawn uncluttered example of this specifically designated group.
**Dzeepa’s, usually portrayed as a disembodied head, are ancient mythological creatures used to keep evil spirits at bay, and their likeness is very common in several countries throughout Asia. Depending on their locale they go by various names, and assorted spellings; for instance in Tibet he is known as Dzeepa (sometimes spelt Dzeeba / Dzeepa / Zeepa / Zeepah, or variations thereof), while to the Newars of Nepal he is Chepu / Cheppu, and in India he is Kirtimukha. (Dzeepa can also be seen portrayed on some of the other pillar carpets featured on this page https://warpandweft.club/ningxia/)