$3,800
The Antique Ning Xia Rug is one of the most refined expressions of northern Chinese weaving. Made for temples and noble homes, Ning Xia rugs are known for their gentle balance, soft wool and spiritual harmony. This example, with its deep reds and calm blues arranged in a floral pattern, carries the quiet elegance that defines the tradition.
Woven in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, the Antique Ning Xia Rug reflects a culture shaped by Buddhist ideals and a long history of refined textile art. The floral motifs symbolise purity, renewal and continuity, arranged in a rhythm that feels peaceful rather than formal. Nothing is rigid. Everything flows with the natural grace of Chinese garden philosophy.
The wool, drawn from high altitude sheep of the Mongolian plateau, gives the rug its soft texture and subtle sheen. Even with age, the colours have mellowed beautifully, the red field glowing warmly and the blues settling into a gentle depth.
At The Rug Shop, we value the Antique Ning Xia Rug for its serenity, craftsmanship and cultural integrity. It is a textile that brings calm, beauty and history into any space, carrying the spirit of an ancient weaving tradition.
If you would like to see a particular product in person through our Bangalow store, please contact us in advance so we can be of the best assistance.
hello@therugshop.com.au / 02 6687 2424
Free Shipping within Australia.
Your rug will be shipped within 1-3 business days and should arrive within 3-5 business days from the ship date. Multiple items within the same order may not arrive together.
When your order is processed, you will receive an email containing a tracking number and dispatch confirmation.
Domestic shipping we use TNT express couriers & Aus post.
International shipping we use INTERPARCEL.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are considering a return. Buyer is responsible for return postage cost. Any returns must be unused and in original of when purchased.
No returns on our “Clearance” rugs or any rugs on sale.
The Antique Ning Xia Rug belongs to one of the most beloved and recognisable weaving traditions of northern China. Soft in palette, balanced in rhythm, and gentle in spirit, Ning Xia carpets were once created for temples, monasteries and noble homes across Inner Mongolia and Gansu. Their wool is famously soft, their designs spiritually charged, and their aura unmistakable. This particular Antique Ning Xia Rug, with its glowing reds and calm blues arranged in a delicate floral pattern, carries the full grace of this tradition.
At The Rug Shop, we select each Antique Ning Xia Rug for its authenticity, condition, and artistic integrity. These rugs are more than antiques. They are links to a refined cultural world shaped by Buddhist ideals, natural symbolism, and centuries of quiet craftsmanship.
Ning Xia rugs trace their roots to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when the region supplied floor carpets, meditation mats and altar covers to Buddhist monasteries across northern China and Tibet. The aesthetic is unmistakable: serenity, restraint, and harmony. Even when colour is bold, as in this example with its red field and blue ornamentation, the overall impression remains peaceful and balanced.
The Antique Ning Xia Rug embodies these values. Its floral forms are not merely decorative but symbolic expressions of continuity, longevity and renewal. The gentle curvature of each blossom reflects the deep influence of Chinese garden philosophy, where the natural world is treated as both motif and metaphor.
While many Ning Xia carpets are known for soft yellows and camel tones, the red and blue combination is especially captivating. The red field in this Antique Ning Xia Rug has a warm, earthy presence, glowing like lacquer under soft light. The blue, drawn from natural indigo, provides a calm counterpoint. Together they create a visual rhythm that feels both ancient and fresh.
The floral pattern is typical of temple pieces, representing simple perfection. Blossoms sit within graceful lattice work, each one echoing the other without becoming rigid or mechanical. This sense of free harmony is one of the hallmarks of the Antique Ning Xia Rug tradition.
The wool used in an Antique Ning Xia Rug is legendary. Sourced from high altitude sheep of the Mongolian plateau, it carries an unusually high lanolin content, producing a soft, supple texture that feels almost creamy to the touch. Even after more than a century, the wool retains its softness and gentle sheen.
The knotting is precise yet relaxed, a characteristic of Chinese weaving. This balance of structure and ease is part of the charm. The pile sits at a comfortable height, worn with grace in the older examples, revealing the artistry of the line work beneath.
The foundation is cotton, giving stability, while the dyes are largely natural, softened over time into quiet harmony. The colours in this Antique Ning Xia Rug have aged beautifully, the reds mellowing into deep warmth, the blues settling into calm notes that guide the eye across the surface.
The designs found in an Antique Ning Xia Rug often carry strong spiritual associations. Lotus flowers represent purity, scrolling vines reflect the continuity of life, and repeating blossoms stand as reminders of balance and renewal. These motifs were intended to inspire reflection, serenity and clarity in the spaces they occupied.
This artistic intention remains alive. Even in a contemporary home, the Antique Ning Xia Rug offers a sense of stillness and composure. Its floral pattern evokes the peaceful rhythm of temple gardens and ancient courtyards. Nothing shouts. Everything whispers.
This Antique Ning Xia Rug dates to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. It represents the last flourishing of the Ning Xia tradition before mechanised weaving and rapid social change altered textile production across China. Rugs from this period are prized because they carry the last hand woven purity of the region, untouched by commercial shortcuts.
Its condition is excellent for its age, retaining strong colour, clarity of line and a pleasing, honest wear that confirms the authenticity of the piece without diminishing its beauty.
The Antique Ning Xia Rug is a work of quiet majesty. Its soft wool, its balanced floral design, and its rare combination of red and blue place it among the most delightful examples of northern Chinese weaving. It is art that soothes rather than demands, a textile shaped by centuries of craftsmanship and spiritual clarity.
Can I get the same rug in a different size?
Each of our rugs is an individual, hand made work of art because of that it is not possible for us to have duplicates in different sizes.
How are your rugs made?
All of our rugs are 100% Handmade on a loom. We have created a close relationship with all of the craftspeople who make our rugs which allows us to get the highest quality rugs directly from the people who made them.
Are your rugs new/used?
We offer a variety of both new and used Persian rugs from many areas including Persia, Turkey, and Morocco see below for more info on locations.
NEW: We support over 30 families in Afghanistan who produce the highest quality Persian rugs.
OLD ANTIQUE VINTAGE: We source our used rugs from village and tribal families at source. As well as attend worldwide auctions. We have formed relationships with Persian rug collectors that allow us to get incredible pieces that are not normally on the market.
Can I try before i buy?
We have a “try before you buy” system for approved customers.
Where are your rugs from?
Afghanistan, Persia, Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Morocco etc.
