Ningxia Mat

This fluffy Chinese seating square was most probably woven by ethnic Hui Muslim weavers in the area of Ningxia in northern China for a Buddhist religious institution somewhere in either China or Tibet. The inner medallion is composed of a garland of lotus blossoms while others are drawn in the border. The resulting total of eight has special significance as does the lotus blossom itself for Buddhists. Though this piece dates from the later Ching dynasty, the field pattern is based on Ming textile design.

Collection of Lucille A. Lamkin