Late 19th Century Chinese Ningxia Dragon Carpet ( 6' x 8' 8'' - 183 x 265 ) Chinese - Ningxia The western Chinese province of Ningshia has a mostly Muslim population and is the source of many of the oldest Chinese carpets of the modern (Ming Dynasty and later) era. The designs are typically Chinese: fretwork or Greek key boarders, pacony palmettes, bats, butterflies, Fu dogs, clouds, dragons, shou symbols, etc. Pollar carpets designed to wrap around monastery columns and displaying a dragon above waves are a specialty. The weave is coarse and soft, with several wefts between knot rows and a longish pile. Yellow golds, dark and light blues are common colors. The outer most plain border on pre 1800 examples is a corrosive brown. Formats include: large square “throne” carpets, paralleled meditation runners, chair seats and scalloped backs. General Rug Type: Chinese Specific Rug Type: Chinese - Ningxia Circa: 1890 Ground Color: Dark Blue Border Color: Ivory Origin: China Material: Wool Weave: Pile - Knotted Shape: Rectangle Width: 6' ( 183 cm ) Length: 8' 8" ( 264 cm )