Art Deco
Wool
NO. 35952
China, c. 1910-1920
3'1" X 4'11" (0.94 m x 1.50 m)
$3,200
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Antique Chinese Art Deco Oval Rug with Rising Irises and Lilac Border
Hand-knotted in wool and originating from China circa 1920–1930, this 3x5 antique Chinese Art Deco rug is a rare collectible from the 1920s Chinoiserie style period. This piece is a particularly unique find in our curation due to its elegant oval shape, a form that heightens its sophisticated, sculptural presence and distinguishes it as a gem of the era.
On the Design:
This rug is a vibrant dialogue between East and West, perfectly embodying the Chinese Art Deco aesthetic that flourished in the 1920s and 30s. The design rejects the dense complexity of traditional Persian rugs for an open, free-flowing composition that became the hallmark of the era. Its expansive oval field is a tranquil, luminous sea of warm cream—a serene, sun-drenched sanctuary that amplifies the graphic impact of the botanical motifs.
Rising like a wild, untamed garden from the base of the field is a lush thicket of stylized irises and floral sprays. These blossoms are rendered in a poetic palette of lavender, soft rose, and moss green, appearing as if swaying in a gentle, invisible breeze. Above this floral narrative, a single, fluid cloudband in celadon green sweeps across the upper curve like a whisper of smoke, lending a sense of ethereal movement and traditional Chinese symbolism to the composition.
Framing this garden is a bold, saturated border of deep plum purple, which provides a dramatic graphic contrast to the soft interior and grounds the rug’s airy spirit with a regal weight. The fluid arrangement and asymmetrical composition speak directly to the Art Deco period's embrace of uncluttered, modern form. This rug captures a unique moment in textile history, offering a rare blend of historical provenance and enduring decorative appeal in a most graceful, rounded silhouette.
Condition:
This antique Chinese Art Deco rug is in good condition for its age and origin.
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