Ningxia, five-claw dragon carpet, Circa 1920

"Ningxia, Dragon Carpet with Five Claws, circa 1920" Chinese carpets, Beijing in the forbidden city of ningxia... Dragon pillar mats are used to decorate the pillars of Buddhist temples and palaces. The carpets were attached to the wooden columns by ropes and took a continuous upward spiral shape. These carpets were graphic visual representations for most illiterate worshippers, assuming a didactic role in much the same way as the stained glass windows and sculptural porticos in Western cathedrals. The carpet with a single dragon facing each other having a segmented body embodies the typical style of ningxia. Dimensions: 200x80 cm. Condition: wear in accordance with age and its use over time. Worn edges (visible in photos), uneven fringes and faded (dripping).