Chinese Art Deco Rug

One branch, two birds, and a great deal of empty gold left alone.

This Art Deco rug comes from China and dates to the early 20th century. It is wool. Chinese workshops of that period produced rugs with open grounds, strong borders and Western buyers in mind. A flowering branch reaches in from the left across a pale tan field, hung with small lanterns, as two blue birds pass above. Pale blue frames the field, and a dark navy border carries sprays of flowers, vases and other objects. It measures 158 inches wide and 118 long.

The designer knew when to stop. That is the less common skill.