Rug - 307 cm - 247 cm

Rare Art Deco carpet Tianjin (China), circa 1930
- Provenance: General Victor Dardet's Collection

EXPERTISE REPORT AND HISTORICAL INVENTORY
DESIGNATION: Large central-room rug in Chinese Art Deco style.
ORIGIN: China, Tianjin workshops (Tientsin).
PERIOD: Circa 1925–1930.

Dimensions & Technical Characteristics
• Length: 307 cm (fringes included).
• Width: 247 cm.
• Surface: Approximately 6.1 m² (excluding fringes) 7.6 m² on the floor.
• Pile thickness: 2 cm (exceptional thickness indicating no structural wear).
• Composition: Mongolian pure wool pile, with a high luster, hand-knotted on cotton foundations.
• Special technique: Hand carving (carving) with a chisel around the motifs to create a three-dimensional relief.

Decorative & Symbolic Analysis
Central-field rug in beige/champagne, decorated with an asymmetric heraldic motif of peacocks (or phoenixes) perched on stylized rocks, surrounded by flowering branches and pomegranates (symbols of prosperity and progeny).

At the four corners of the field stands the ideographic character 壽 (Shou), traditional symbol of longevity and health.

The wide night-blue (indigo) border incorporates landscape cartouches featuring junks, traditional pavilion motifs, and precious scholarly attributes (scrolls and flowering vases). The color palette (champagne, indigo, sky blue, golden yellow, and old rose) is emblematic of Tianjin prestige production during the Art Deco period.

History & Provenance (Certified Provenance)
• Original collection: My wife’s grandfather, General Victor Dardet (1903-1989), Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (1964).
• History: Directly brought from Tianjin (China) in 1930 by General Dardet while serving as Military Quartermaster Officer of the Colonies (posting period 1927-1930).
• The link with General de Gaulle (1964):
• The historical note mentions a "De Gaulle tribute in 1964 for Guadeloupe". This date precisely corresponds to the famous official visit of President Charles de Gaulle to Guadeloupe (and Martinique) in March 1964, a period of major political tensions when the central state paid strong homage to the great servants of the Republic and of the local colonial administration. General Dardet being among these key figures, this rug is directly anchored to that historical memory.
• Reference document: Historic museum inventory sheet and period photographs confirming provenance.

Condition
Excellent overall condition. The pile has retained its density and original height (2 cm). The selvages and fringes are sound and complete. Natural, even patina of use on the light field, no visible restorations.
Cleaning required.