Chinese Deco Carpet with Gold Border

In the 1930s, Shanghai, China was swept up in the Art Deco design movement. Design, architecture, art, fashion, and furniture were all influenced by this modern movement that permeated every part of life in the bustling, vibrant city. Patterned with traditional Chinese motifs, this wool carpet nevertheless exemplifies the qualities that make Art Deco design so sought after: simple lines, striking colors, and bold geometric patterns.

Taking months or even years to create, this Chinese deco carpet is hand-knotted of the softest wool, tinted with natural vegetable dyes for a luscious color palette of magenta, green, and gold. The rug’s vibrant magenta ground is strewn with beautifully rendered floral bouquets, interspersed with timeless scholars' objects, including vases, scrolls, hairpins, censers, and magpies. A charming scene of a towering pagoda lies at the center in lieu of traditional medallion motif, framed by a bright golden border with magenta trim.