Rug with design of a roundel enclosing a unicorn (qilin)

Either as a wall hanging or a prayer mat, this rug features auspicious woven designs. The central medallion encircles a unicorn (qilin) over a small dragon. Scattered around this are classical treasures including books, incense burners, a board game, and flower patterns. On each of the four corners is a symmetrical pattern of interlaced flowers and meanders, calling to mind heavenly clouds. The two borders are made of triangles and swastikas; both are auspicious symbols that appear widely in Chinese religious and folk art. The rug’s scheme of five colors—yellow, amber, brown, blue, and white—is characteristic of weaving from the Ningxia region in northwestern China. Besides exporting to Central Asia, Ningxia artisans created many woven rugs as tributes to the Manchu court during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).