Page 283 - ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND INDIAN WORLDS Carpets, Ceramics Objects, Christie's London Oct..27, 2022

■*274
A NINGXIA CARPET
NORTH CHINA, LATE 18TH CENTURY
Localised spots of wear with some areas of repiling, overall fair condition
10ft.3in. x 5ft.4in. (313cm. x 165cm.)
£5,000-7,000 US$5,800-8,100
€5,800-8,100

VARIOUS PROPERTIES
■*273
274
A NINGXIA DAIS COVER
NORTH CHINA, 18TH CENTURY
Woven horizontally, scattered areas of wear and repair, reduced in width
7ft.6in. x 11ft.9in. (229cm x 359cm.)
£7,000-10,000 US$8,100-12,000
€8,100-12,000
The most striking feature of this carpet is the five-clawed imperial dragons ■*275
within the five roundels. Widely depicted in all mediums of Chinese art, A NINGXIA RUG
dragons are legendary creatures usually depicted as a long serpentine, scaly, NORTH CHINA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
wingless body with four claw-tipped legs and expressive, fanciful heads
Light localised wear, a few minor repairs, overall good condition
with wild manes, long mustaches and horns. The links between dragons and
7ft.11in. x 5ft.3in. (241cm. x 162cm.)
Chinese emperors go back to legends as old as that of the Yellow Emperor
(Huangdi) (2697-2597 BC), who is said to have transformed into a dragon £5,000-7,000 US$5,800-8,100
€5,800-8,100
when he died during his ascension to heaven. These legends contributed to
the adoption of the dragon as a symbol of imperial power, which eventually
became a broader iconographic symbol representing the Orient.
For a comparable dais cover see the preceeding lot in the present sale. (detail)
275

280 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty 281
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.