$1,800
This Antique Peking Chinese Rug represents one of the most elegant weaving traditions of old China. Made in Peking, now Beijing, in the early twentieth century, it is known for gentle space, calm balance and symbolic clarity. Where other rug cultures favour dense ornament, this Antique Peking Chinese Rug offers open fields, refined motifs and a painterly stillness that echoes Chinese scroll art and classical calligraphy.
Peking weaving flourished in the early twentieth century as artisans revived traditional methods for a new global audience.
In stock
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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 Peking Chinese Rug belongs to one of the most graceful and unmistakable weaving traditions of old China. Made in Peking, now Beijing, during the early twentieth century, this school of weaving created carpets that carried a gentler rhythm than their Persian or Caucasian counterparts. Where other weaving cultures favoured dense ornament or tribal geometry, the Antique Peking Chinese Rug pursued calm, open space, elegant simplicity and symbolic clarity. Today these rugs have become highly sought after for their balance of quiet sophistication and deep cultural meaning, and The Rug Shop is pleased to offer a fine example for collectors and admirers.
What distinguishes an Antique Peking Chinese Rug is its unique sense of air and space. The field is often open, allowing the colours and symbols to breathe. Motifs appear with intention rather than repetition. A single flower, a cloud band, a roundel, a pair of scholar rocks or a bat carrying the idea of good fortune. The restrained orchestration of design gives each rug an atmosphere of reflection. Nothing is hurried. Every symbol has room to be itself. This clarity has made the Antique Peking Chinese Rug a favourite among lovers of Asian art, especially those who appreciate calligraphy, scroll painting and the calm philosophy of the scholar tradition.
This example, woven with sheep wool on cotton warps, sits firmly within the classic Peking tradition. The wool is soft yet strong, and the touch of age has softened the palette into its current warm harmony. Mixed dyes create gentle tonal shifts that work beautifully with the open field. Early twentieth century Peking weaving often used small touches of blue, rose and gold along with creamy grounds, and this Antique Peking Chinese Rug carries that lineage with sincerity. Areas of wear are present but do not diminish its beauty. Instead they speak to its life and provenance. This is a rug that has been lived with, respected and allowed to age with dignity.
The artistry of the Antique Peking Chinese Rug draws from an ancient vocabulary of Chinese symbolism. Flowers often represent virtues or seasons. Peonies speak of wealth and honour. Chrysanthemums stand for endurance. Lotus blossoms point to purity rising from the mud. Chinese cloud bands represent the wish for long life and smooth passage. A pair of birds may point to harmony. Even the borders serve as metaphors for continuity and protection. The weaver has placed each motif with care, guided not by rigid formula but by cultural instinct. This gentle composition is part of what has kept the Antique Peking Chinese Rug desirable for over a hundred years.
Although the design language is ancient, the weaving of Peking carpets in the early twentieth century was part of a revival movement. After centuries of imperial production that created some of the greatest carpets in East Asia, the fall of the Qing dynasty opened a new chapter. Workshops in Peking began producing rugs for both local appreciation and the international market, relying on traditional techniques but presenting their designs with a modern sensibility. The Antique Peking Chinese Rug stands at that intersection between classic Chinese aesthetics and the new global world that took shape in the early twentieth century.
The construction of this Antique Peking Chinese Rug demonstrates why these pieces have lasted so well. Sheep wool was hand prepared and knotted with patience on cotton warps, giving structure and strength. The pile, though worn in areas, retains the softness and gentle sheen that collectors love. The rug holds its presence even in modest lighting. The mixed dyes create subtle variations, a reminder that this was made in an era before modern chemical predictability, when the outcome depended on skill, instinct and the conditions of the day. This individuality is part of the charm of a true Antique Peking Chinese Rug.
What makes these rugs so inviting today is their remarkable versatility. The calm compositions work beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors. But beyond practical use, an Antique Peking Chinese Rug carries the quiet voice of Chinese cultural history. It reflects a world of scholars, poets and artisans. A world where art was seen as a path toward balance and insight. Where nature was observed with reverence and simplicity was considered powerful.
The Rug Shop is proud to present this Antique Peking Chinese Rug, a piece that offers cultural depth, artistic calm and the enduring beauty of early twentieth century Chinese weaving. It is a textile with presence, charm and a gentle poetic spirit. A classic rug from the heart of Beijing, waiting to continue its story.
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.
