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Weaving in China...

China has woven hand-knotted rugs for centuries. There are reports of rugs being woven in north-central China, in the area around Ningxia, as early as 1696. By the 1860's there were workshops in Beijing making rugs for the imperial court. In the 1920's and 30's many rugs in vaguely Art Deco style were produced for the American market in rug "factories" in Hebel and Shandong provinces. These rugs were woven by hand, but the workshops were highly organized with foreign companies controlling all phases of the production. Many rugs from this period had plain grounds of pearl grey or navy with wide solid-color borders and simple floral spray design elements.

The 1950's and 60's saw the Chinese government take over the carpet factories, and the development of thick, carved rugs from China in "Chinese" designs and pastel colors. Most of these rugs are 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.).
By the late 1980's, some factories began to produce more finely woven rugs in Persian patterns. In qualities like "160 line" (177 knots per sq. in.) and finer, these "Sino-Persian" rugs have intricate floral patterns and closely-clipped nap. These rugs are not carved.

Go here for some rugs from China On Sale®.

Carved Chinese Rugs SIZE: 2' x 3' to 9' x 12' and sometimes larger. STRUCTURE: cotton warp and weft with thick nap and embossed design. COLOR & DESIGN: most often soft pastels, and uncomplicated floral designs, but red, black, navy, and emerald greens are also found, and patterns can range from Art Deco through French Aubusson.

Sino-Persian Rugs SIZE: 3' x 5' to 9' x 12' and sometimes larger. STRUCTURE: cotton warp and weft with tight weave and closely clipped nap. COLOR & DESIGN: colorful rugs with intricate Persian patterns.

Examples of Chinese Rugs....

CHINESE Carved rug in "Peking" design. Wool on cotton, 90 line weave 9' x 12'	CHINESE Carved rug in French Aubusson design. Wool on cotton, 90 line weave 9' x 12'	CHINESE Carved rug in Art Deco design. Wool on cotton, 90 line weave 6' x 9'
	KASHAN A Sino-Persian rug. Wool on cotton, 160 line weave 8' x 10'

Weaving in China....

Boys hand-weaving broadloom carpet in Tianjin, China in 1928.

Carving matching Art Deco carpets in Tianjin, China in 1928.

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