Antique Chinese Ningxia Pillar Runner With Imperial Dragon & Lions - Rug & Kilim

Details

Description

Dating from the late 19th century, circa 1890-1900, this 3x10 antique Chinese runner rug is a remarkable example of a … Read more Dating from the late 19th century, circa 1890-1900, this 3x10 antique Chinese runner rug is a remarkable example of a traditional pillar rug. Specifically crafted as a younger reproduction of 18th-century Ningxia weaving traditions, this rug was originally designed to wrap around the massive wooden columns of Tibetan Buddhist temples or imperial halls.

On the Design:

This pillar rug serves as a fascinating historical record of the late Qing Dynasty’s effort to preserve the grand "Imperial" style of the earlier Kangxi and Qianlong eras. The central narrative is dominated by a powerful, five-clawed Imperial Dragon—a symbol of the Emperor's supreme authority—rendered in midnight blue as it ascends through a golden-saffron sky.

Historically, these rugs were more than decoration; they were architectural garments that transformed cold temple pillars into "living" celestial conduits, intended to inspire awe in both worshippers and visiting dignitaries.

Admirers of the craft will note the trio of Foo Lion masks at the top, a protective motif traditionally placed to "watch over" the sacred space and ward off malevolent spirits. The base is anchored by the Lishui ("standing water") and Mount Meru motifs, representing the Buddhist axis of the world rising from the cosmic ocean.

This particular rug reflects a period of "Modernist" revivalism in Chinese weaving, where the rigorous standards of the 18th-century Ningxia workshops were revisited to satisfy a turn-of-the-century appetite for classical scholarship and spiritual gravity. It stands as a celebratory bridge between the ancient philosophy of the East and the sophisticated interior applications of the modern world.

Condition:

This Antique Chinese Ningxia Pillar rug further enjoys excellent condition for its age and origin. See less