This antique Chinese rug, woven at the turn of the 20th Century, is compact, worn, and rich with layered meaning. Though modest in size, it holds a striking presence, both visually and symbolically — with centuries of spiritual tradition woven into its fibers.
At the very center lies a swastika, framed in a coral-red roundel. While this symbol may be jarring at first glance, it’s vital to recognize its ancient and sacred origins. Across Chinese, Hindu, and Buddhist cultures, the swastika has long represented good fortune, eternity, balance, and auspicious energy. Here, its bold central placement acts as a spiritual anchor — a blessing meant to radiate outward.
Just above it bursts a radiant floral medallion, likely symbolizing harmony, wholeness, and the life force. Its lotus-like bloom in rich red, celadon blue, and golden beige brings a sense of centered beauty and cyclical rebirth — a visual echo of the spiritual themes embedded in the rug’s core.
Surrounding this central field are cloudband-like scrolls and foliate forms, with some of the curling blue and pink motifs resembling stylized bats — another auspicious motif in Chinese art. The bat (fu) is a homonym for “blessing,” and is often paired with symbols of longevity and joy.
The rug’s rounded rectangular shape and softly curved edges further set it apart with its unique shape. Its low pile and worn surface speak to its age and the generations it has passed through.
Woven with vegetable-dyed wool, this piece is a rare example of antique Chinese textile artistry, carrying beauty, history, and symbolism in equal measure.
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