- 4096
A Ninghsia rug, West China
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
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Description
- wool, cotton
- approximately 4ft. 7in. by 2ft. 6in. (1.40 by 0.76m.)
Provenance
Rippon Boswell & Co., Wiesbaden, May 2, 2005, lot 122.
Condition
Pile generally very good, near original 1/5" overall with a small 1x1" area of moth damage along upper edge. Three smaller areas in lower waves of moth damage showing foundation.
Scattered spot stains and surface dirt; should enhance with cleaning.
Original selvages with minor fraying and losses.
Slightly uneven ends, now fraying. Recommend securing.
Supple handle, soft, lustrous wool.
Good overall condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The striking design of this rug was described by Charles Grant Ellis as having "sonic sound waves" that brought to his mind the logo of the RKO motion picture company, see C.G. Ellis, "Chinese Rugs," Textile Museum Journal II/3, Washington, D.C. 1967, p. 48. So apt was this name that this group has been called the RKO rugs ever since, see Hans König, "The RKO Family," Hali, issue 110, pp. 96-105. The present lot exhibits the customary RKO composition of a central device surrounded by horizontal dashes and vertical strokes with wave and cloud end borders. As in the present lot, the central device is most often a rosette medallion, though in some cases fretworks, dragons or stylized cloudbands, or Yün Tsai T'ou, were used. For related Khotan saddle rugs with similar design see Sotheby's, New York, December 7, 2010, lot 56, and May 19, 2011, lot 132. For a thorough discussion of the RKO rugs and related examples please refer to König, op.cit.