Rugs: heritage of the East

In time the art of making pile carpets naturally spread both east and west. Indian carpets owe much as regards design to Persian influence, but the Chinese carpets, as might be expected from a nation supremely skilled in all the arts, are unique.

They are not generally especially fine as to texture, but their designs and colours, embodying their passion for symbolism, show their superb artistry.

It is in China alone that the highly individual "pillar carpets" are made, where the complete form of the rug does not show until the long sides are brought together, when a delightful dragon may be seen wound round a pillar