Chinese Zodiac Rug

130 x 109 cm (4' 3" x 3' 7") China, 19th century Condition: good for its age, beige sections partially corroded, otherwise good pile, scattered small repairs Published: "Asiatische Teppich- und Textilkunst, Band 5", Eberhart Herrmann, 1995, Tafel 108 Warp: cotton, weft: cotton, pile: wool This unique little rug depicts the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. They follow one another in a clockwise direction, each representing one of the twelve years of the zodiac cycle. A new cycle begins with the Year of the Rat, which recurs every twelve years. At the same time, each year is assigned to one of the five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal, and water - as well as to either Yin or Yang. This combination forms the great Chinese calendar cycle of 60 years. It begins with the Yang Wood Rat and ends with the Yin Water Pig. Particularly unusual are the two fish in the center of the rug. Fish appear relatively rarely on Chinese carpets and possess a multi-layered meaning in Chinese symbolism. Whether their depiction here is directly related to the zodiac or the 60-year cycle, or whether it holds an additional auspicious meaning, cannot be determined with certainty. Unfortunately, there is no inscription or other recognizable indication that would allow it to be attributed to a specific year. As far as is known, only one other rug of this extraordinary type exists. It was part of the famous collection of the American art collector Thomas B. Clarke and was auctioned in January 1915 at the American Art Galleries in New York. The sale price is listed as $1,625 - an extraordinarily high sum for that time. The Clarke auction comprised a total of 585 antique Chinese carpets and related textiles and is considered one of the most significant early auctions of Chinese carpets in the United States. Estimate: € 20000 - 30000 Starting bid: € 14000

Estimate:£17,044.7

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