Old Chinese - Rug - 190 cm - 160 cm - Baotou

An antique Chinese Baotou rug from the late 19th century – 190 x 160 cm – Hand-knotted – An elegant late 19th-century Chinese rug, featuring a remarkable floral design on a nuanced blue field. The central field is adorned with a circular floral medallion, surrounded by rich bouquets in the corner motifs. The whole is framed by a beautiful border with a Greek-key pattern, typical of Chinese production of that era. Its refined palette of blues and whites gives it a particularly seductive decorative presence, ideal in a classical, Art Deco, or contemporary interior. Condition: Rug sold in its discovered state. Very dusty, requiring a thorough cleaning. Shows several old restorations, notably on the border and in the field. Despite these imperfections, it retains a strong decorative power and authentic charm. Dimensions: 190 x 160 cm Origin: China Period: Late 19th century Material: Hand-knotted wool History: The Baotou rugs (or Pao-tou in the old transcription) are traditional Chinese carpets woven in the city of Baotou, in Inner Mongolia. They are among the Chinese rugs most sought after by collectors for their wool quality and pictorial motifs. Origins: The Baotou region is located in the vast steppes of Inner Mongolia, a zone favorable to sheep farming. Thanks to the abundance of quality wool, the rug-weaving craft developed there from the 19th century. According to local sources, the weaving know-how is said to have been introduced during the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty (around 1862-1874) by artisans from neighboring Ningxia; Golden age and decline: The golden age of Baotou rugs lies between the late 19th century and the 1930s. Pieces from this period were exported to Europe and America, where they were appreciated for their Art Deco style and originality. After the political upheavals of the mid-20th century and the region’s industrialization, traditional artisanal production declined sharply. Old Baotou rugs are today sought on the antique market.