Antique Chinese - Ningxia Rug, size: 2'9" x 2'11". 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: 1850 Ground Color: Navy Origin: China Material: Wool Weave: Pile - Knotted Shape: Rectangle Width: 2' 9" ( 84 cm ) Length: 2' 11" ( 89 cm )