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

Old Chinese Baotou rug, late 19th century – 190 x 160 cm – Handmade – Elegant antique Chinese rug from the late 19th century, featuring a remarkable floral design on a nuanced blue background. The central field is adorned with a circular floral medallion, surrounded by rich bouquets in the spandrels. The whole is framed by a beautiful border with a Greek key motif, typical of Chinese production of that era. Its refined palette of blues and whites gives it a particularly attractive decorative presence, ideal in a classic, Art Deco, or contemporary interior. Condition: Rug sold in its condition upon discovery. Very dusty, requiring a complete cleaning. Shows several old restorations, notably on the border and in the field. Despite these imperfections, it retains strong decorative power and authentic charm. Dimensions: 190 x 160 cm Origin: China Period: Late 19th century Material: Hand-knotted wool History: Baotou rugs (or Pao-tou in the old transcription) are traditional Chinese rugs woven in the city of Baotou, in Inner Mongolia. They are among the most sought-after Chinese rugs 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 high-quality wool, the art of rug-making developed there from the 19th century. According to local sources, the weaving know-how would have been introduced during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (around 1862-1874) by artisans from the neighboring Ningxia; Golden Age and decline The golden age of Baotou rugs is 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 industrialization of the region, traditional artisanal production drastically declined. Old Baotou rugs are today sought after on the antique market.