Cina

Beijing is the capital of China, located on the north-western edge of the Hopeh plain between two rivers, a major road and rail hub and an industrial and commercial centre. According to tradition, carpet weaving began in Beijing in 1860 on the initiative of a lama and, until the 1920s, the city was China's main production centre. The contrast of colours is the most common on Chinese carpets: a luminous intense blue, which with a skilful play of arabesques gives nocturnal depth, is flanked by pale shades of yellow and ivory, which increase the emphasis. After all, the main ornament of the field is precisely the colour, only apparently uniform but, in reality, animated by imperceptible and studied chiaroscuro. Against this sober background stands a rounded rose window, made from an interlacing of stems and flowers, which also returns in a slightly more complex and curved version to the corner-pieces. A few flowering twigs, symmetrically arranged, complete a simple and harmonious decoration. The tall ivory background frame repeats stylised floral decorations.