Zophi
Hand-knotted wool Chinese Art Deco rug with floral motifs on navy field with golden-yellow border

Hand-knotted wool Chinese Art Deco rug with floral motifs on navy field with golden-yellow border

Selling Price

$8,000

History

Chinese Art Deco rugs emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, blending traditional Chinese motifs with Western Art Deco aesthetics. These rugs were primarily produced in workshops in Tianjin and Beijing, often by renowned manufacturers like Nichols, Fette, or local artisans catering to Western export markets. The distinctive style features open fields with asymmetrical floral designs, bold color contrasts, and simplified patterns that appealed to modernist sensibilities of the era. Chinese Art Deco rugs are highly prized by collectors of decorative arts, interior designers, and enthusiasts of early 20th-century design. Their appeal lies in the successful fusion of Eastern craftsmanship with Western modernist aesthetics, creating timeless pieces that complement both traditional and contemporary interiors. The quality of hand-knotted wool construction, vibrant natural dyes, and the historical significance of this brief but influential period in Chinese rug-making make these pieces valuable investments for collectors and decorators alike.

Origin

Tianjin or Beijing, China

Maker

Likely Nichols Workshop or similar Chinese Art Deco workshop

Time period

circa 1920–1940