Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Runner With Lotus & Peony Design - Rug & Kilim

Details

Description

This 3x15 antique Chinese temple extra-long runner is a remarkable addition to Rug & Kilim. Hand-knotted in wool and originating … Read more This 3x15 antique Chinese temple extra-long runner is a remarkable addition to Rug & Kilim. Hand-knotted in wool and originating circa 1600-1620, the piece features lotus and peony motifs rendered in the celebrated Ming Dynasty "Big Knot" weaving tradition.

On the Design:

Among the earliest and most coveted Chinese carpets, Ming Dynasty weavings are celebrated for their remarkable restraint, architectural balance, and highly distinctive "Big Knot" construction. This exceptional temple runner exemplifies those qualities through an elegant allover design of lotus blossoms, peonies, and scrolling vinery arranged along an elongated field. The design reflects the decorative language of late Ming textile arts, where floral motifs were rendered with remarkable clarity and symbolic significance. In Chinese tradition, the lotus is associated with purity and spiritual enlightenment, while the peony symbolizes prosperity, honor, and beauty. Together, these motifs create a design of quiet sophistication that would have been particularly well suited to ceremonial and temple settings.

Particularly compelling is the runner's restrained palette of warm golden-beige tones enriched by rare accents of speckled robin's egg blue. These distinctive blue highlights are characteristic of early Chinese carpets and are seldom encountered in rugs woven after the Ming period, making them a particularly desirable feature among collectors. The spacious field, delicate floral drawing, and rhythmic scrolling ornament embody the elegance and balance for which early Chinese carpets are revered. Combined with the distinctive texture associated with the historic "Big Knot" weaving technique, the result is a museum-worthy runner that captures the artistry and refinement of one of the most important periods in Chinese carpet history.

Condition:

This antique Chinese Ming Dynasty temple extra-long runner enjoys good condition for its age and origin. See less