$4,000
Made in London England, possibly at Hammersmith or nearby workshops during the Arts and Crafts period.
Turkish, symmetrical knots. Jute and cotton foundation.
English Arts and Crafts rugs, including Morris & Co.’s Chinoiserie-inspired patterns from the Hammersmith and later Merton Abbey workshops, often had jute in the foundation.
The Chinoiserie designs often drew on 17th- and 18th-century Chinese and Japanese textile motifs.
We love the cunningly offset pattern, an assymetry usually associated with Japanese taste. The whole is very smart, Arts and Crafts Internationalism.
In stock
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.
In the quiet elegance of early 20th‑century Britain, a unique weaving tradition emerged that married the refinement of English design with the romantic imagery of the Orient. The English Chinoiserie Rug, made in the Arts and Crafts period, is a testament to this fusion of cultures — a rug that draws on the centuries‑old artistic conversation between East and West.
The Chinoiserie movement in Europe was inspired by a fascination with Chinese and East Asian art. In textiles, this often took the form of garden landscapes, pagodas, stylised birds, and delicate floral sprays — all re‑interpreted through the lens of European artistry. The English Chinoiserie Rug brought these motifs into the realm of woven floor art, translating painted and printed designs into the language of wool and pile.
This English Chinoiserie Rug, woven in the early 1900s, carries the poise of its Edwardian heritage. The colours are soft yet assured — often pale blues, corals, creams, and gentle greens — recalling the subdued refinement of English interiors at the time. Unlike the denser palettes of Persian or Turkish rugs, the English interpretation allows the motifs to breathe, giving each element its own space in the composition.
The wool used was of fine English quality, tightly knotted to create a smooth, even surface. This precision allowed the weaver to capture the delicate curves of a blossom or the poised stance of a crane with painterly accuracy. Over a century later, the rug retains not only its visual charm but its structural integrity, a sign of the care and skill invested in its making.
In an English Chinoiserie Rug, the design often tells a story — a lakeside pavilion framed by willows, a procession of exotic birds, a flowering branch bending under the weight of blossoms. These scenes are not literal copies of Chinese art, but imaginative re‑tellings shaped by Western decorative sensibilities.
Borders are typically simple, sometimes a key‑fret or meander, allowing the central scene to hold the viewer’s attention. This clarity of layout makes the English Chinoiserie Rug especially versatile; it can anchor a room without overwhelming it, acting as both art and furnishing.
The appeal of the English Chinoiserie Rug lies in its dual heritage. It draws on the centuries‑old English tradition of fine weaving, honed in workshops producing Axminster and Wilton carpets. At the same time, it pays homage to the elegance and symbolism of East Asian design. In this meeting, something entirely its own was born — not Chinese, not purely English, but a hybrid that reflects the global exchange of ideas in the early modern world.
The example offered by The Rug Shop is in remarkable condition for its age. The wool pile is even, the colours have mellowed gracefully, and the foundation remains sound. Such survival is rare for a rug over one hundred years old, particularly one that was meant to be walked on and enjoyed.
The English Chinoiserie Rug is not just a collector’s piece; it is a usable work of art. Its calm, pictorial beauty sits as comfortably in a contemporary space as it does in a period interior.
For the collector or connoisseur, the English Chinoiserie Rug offers a window into a specific cultural moment — a time when British taste embraced the exotic, but filtered it through its own traditions of symmetry, restraint, and craftsmanship. These rugs are scarce, often surviving in small numbers due to their limited production and the passing of time.
Owning one is to hold a fragment of early 20th‑century design history, a physical link to the Edwardian fascination with far‑off worlds.
At The Rug Shop, we take pride in sourcing authentic pieces with documented origins. Each English Chinoiserie Rug we offer is carefully vetted for authenticity, condition, and historical significance. We believe in connecting our clients with rugs that not only add beauty to their homes but carry the weight of a genuine story.
This early 1900s English Chinoiserie Rug is exactly that — a piece that unites artistry, cultural exchange, and enduring quality.
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.
