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Chinese Rugs
Chinese Rugs
Chinese rugs, while being woven in China two thousand years ago, never really developed
their industry until sometime around the mid-eighteenth century.
Chinese rugs made there way into the mainstream market by the early to
mid 1860's, when many workshops began springing up in the Beijing
area that began aggressively making rugs that were initially
commissioned by the imperial court. Chinese rugs finally found their way
into the American market somewhere around the 1920's and 30's. Chinese
rug styles were varied and were being produced in places such as the Hebel
and Shandong provinces. These hand-woven works of art were carefully monitored and
supervised by foreign companies which maintained strict control of the
entire phase of production.
Chinese rug production took a dramatic turn between the 1950's and 60's
and it was during this time period the Chinese government took over the carpet
factories. Chinese rug quality was strictly maintained as the production of thick,
lustrous, carved rugs made in a variety of designs and pastel colors was
stepped up. In fact, most continue to be made in
state-owned co-operatives in and around Tianjin. Common qualities are
"70 line" (34 knots per sq. in.) and "90 line" (56 knots per sq. in.). Value
is determined by not only knot count, but by thickness as well.
Thickness is rated by increments such as 3/8, 5/8, etc. Design detail,
age and coloration are also indicators determining how valuable a
particular piece is. Interestingly, around the end of 1980, some factories began to produce more finely woven
rugs in the very popular 'Persian' patterns. In qualities like "160 line" (177 knots per
sq. in.) and finer, these "Sino-Persian" rugs have intricate floral
patterns, pastel colorations, and closely-clipped nap.
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