20th Century Chinese Rug, 1910

Refined Chinese rug of small size, characterized by a full blue field surrounded by a rich border decorated with flower pots and birds of various shapes. The dominant theme of the decoration is the phoenix placed on the four sides: At the beginning of the Chinese tradition, Feng and Haung were two separate phoenicians: a male and a female, depicted together to represent the principles of Yin and Yang that rule the universe. Over time, however, it began to represent only one phoenix, the name of Fenghuang: a symbol of union between the two principles of the cosmos and therefore absolute harmony. Considered a noble bird, he was able to judge the character of human beings and to confer blessings on the righteous and upright. According to Chinese mythology, Fenghuang is a colorful bird, 3 meters long, melodious singing able to enchant anyone lucky enough to listen to it. It’s considered a symbol of good luck, associated with prosperity and new beginnings. It is not by chance that the phoenix recurs in events such as weddings or, in the past, as the ascent to the throne of an emperor!.