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Discover the charm of Chinese carpets
By Brian Asmus
"It's too Bad Taipei taxi drivers do not have valuable fur," I quipped after Tauno Kelder of Artasia had finished relating an account of how a certain species of wild Himalayan goats were killed for their valuable hair.
While the practice has been outlawed, this has not stopped the region from producing beautiful carpets. Despite the fact that Chinese carpets are less well known than Persians, they enjoy a loyal following nonetheless.
There are five major types of Chinese carpets, including those from border regions like Tibet, Xin-jiang, Mongolia, and Ningxia, and the traditional Chinese varieties from Tianjin. Carpetmakers have been turning out high-quality rugs for almost nine centuries. Kelder, who hails from Estonia, detailed some of the finer points of these rugs.
Tianjin rugs ─ made in China but originally designed by Europeans for export to their home countries ─ differ from Chinese rugs designed and produced for the home market.
These rugs, mostly from the border regions, however, had to wait until after the Cultural Revolution before making their debut on the world stage. They have become increasingly popular since 1979, especially among newly emerging middle-classes in Chinese societies.
According to Artasia owner John Ang, nomadic rugs from these four regions also have investment potential. Ang, who has a Masters in Chinese Art History from the University of Michigan, said, "Decorative rugs that are about 50 years old can fetch around US$2,000, while older rugs in good condition with special designs can sell for up to US$30,000."
Although such rugs have fewer knots per-square-inch than their Middle Eastern counterparts, they are highly prized for their use of natural colors, the variety of designs and the softness of the wool. Many find the simpler imagery more soothing to the eye when compared with the congested intricacy of Persian carpets.
Among the four major types of regional rugs, those from Ningxia are the most valued. This popularity is due to the quality of the wool - it is the softest of the four - and the subtle use of color. Predominantly yellow, Ningxia rugs combine dark blue and salmon pink to create an extremely pleasing look.
Rugs from Mongolia, on the other hand, are much heavier due to the thicker pile. Mostly from Baotou ─ capital of the mainland Chinese province of Inner Mongolia ─ these rugs are primarily blue and use floral and geometric patterns and pictorial designs.
Xinjiang carpets blend Turkish and Chinese patterns into an unusual mix. they may include Turkish floral medallions or pomegranate designs with cloud borders ─ a traditional Chinese motif.l They also feature red and purple, and have the appearance of being more loosely knit.
The brightest rugs, however, are from Tibet. Bolder and more dramatic, designs also tend to be less rigid. "There is a lot more individual decision that goes into designing a Tibetan rug. The designer may put a cross anywhere he likes, or experiment more with color schemes. This is in direct contrast to Chinese designers who tend to follow rigid rules when laying out motifs or choosing colors," Kelder noted.
BECAUSE OF THEIR many different uses, antique Chinese rugs come in a great variety of shapes and sizes, making them one of the most versatile decorative items for the home, said Ang. For instance, throne back-rugs ─ those sewn to cushions placed on the back rests of seats for Buddhist lamas ─ have a characteristic scallop-shaped top edge. Framed, they make interesting wall hangings for the home or office. Placed on the floor in front of the home altar, the scalloped edge of the rug follows the scalloped edge of the altar's spandrels, he added.
In addition, Ang related that square meditation rugs are often joined together to form long, narrow rugs, which are placed between rows of temple pillars for monks to align themselves on. In the home, they can be placed along corridors or hallways.
Ang recommends using single, square meditation rugs with period Chinese furniture since it prevents floor and furniture from being scratched or otherwise marred. "It also breaks the monotony of wood against wood and helps bring up the elegant lines of the furniture that would be less noticeable if you have a dark floor," he observed.
Another decorative use is as a wall hanging. This is especially effective if your home has high ceilings. Ang suggests using pillar rugs, which were used on heated brick beds in northern China, also serve this function well given their one-directional designs.
One type of rug that Ang particularly likes is the butterfly-shaped Tibetan saddle rug. It is believed that the distinctive shape was introduced to Tibet in the 1930s by British cavalrymen, who used similarly shaped flannel blankets. Other interesting Tibetan varieties include rugs with tiger-skin patterns.
"While many antique carpets bought on site can be incredibly filthy, they are quite durable," Ang said. "All you have to do is wash them to restore their original beauty. Even better, these rugs gain a luster over the years. Walking on them releases oil and massages it into the woolen fibers of the carpet. The colors also mellow with age, taking on richer tones."
For those who have their hearts set on getting a genuine antique rug, Kelder cautions that the supply of these rugs is limited and prices are increasingly reflecting their scarcity. Do not think therefore that you are going to get a steal even if you go to these regions.
From collecting and combing the wool fibers to dyeing to knotting, cutting, washing and drying, the whole process can take a carpet maker up to four months for an average-sized carpet. Expect to pay about US$500 per-square-meter.
Considering the amount of time that goes into the whole process, the amount is not unreasonable. If you are thinking of buying a rug or two, look it as a marriage ─ something you go into for the long term. Unlike matrimony, however, your rugs will only bring you pleasure and are guaranteed never to stray or nag. Even better, they only get better looking with age. Now how many spouses can you say that about?
(MysticAsia Does NOT sell Chinese Carpets)
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