#19307 Beijing Carpet Northeast China 370 x 417 cm Circa 1880’s The field design on this top condition antique Peking (Beijing) carpet is adapted from silk brocade textiles. The beige field displays a taupe-rust allover pattern of grape leaves and short, curled arabesque segments accented by coiled, archaic navy dragons and tiny rosettes. The dragons center lightly defined eight lobed medallions. The central dragon and its encircling double medallion are somewhat larger than the others. The dragons are in a 17th century Ningxia style and ultimately depend on ancient archetypes on bronzes and ceramics. The medallions are arranged in a 2-3-2-3-2-3-2 layout. The pattern stops just at the border frame and does not pass under it. The ivory main border alternates ecru stencil-style lotus palm lettes with bi-tonal medium blue and navy vine leaves, with attached tendrils. The plain outer border is in a rusty taupe shade. There is light carving throughout to accentuate the pattern. The foundation is all cotton, and the Tibetan wool pile it’s of excellent quality. The handle is relatively pliable, and the texture is thick and meaty. This carpet has no repairs and is in top condition.