Carpet

DateLate 19th-early 20th century

MediumCotton and wool

DimensionsOverall (H x W): 27 x 31 1/2in. (68.6 x 80cm)
10 knots per inch

Credit LineGift of the John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, Fund, Inc., through the generosity and interest of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, and members of the family.

Object number1996.BH.139

DescriptionThis square, knotted carpet fragment features a center medallion with a border and fringe on two sides. The medallion has five blue-and-white flowers, one in the center and four around the side. They exist within a dark-blue and yellow wreath of leaves. The medallion sits in a square, beige reserve with four more blue-and-white flowers in each corner. Each flower is accompanied by blue and yellow vines. The reserve is surrounded by a thin white border, followed by a wider border of dark and light blue with evenly-spaced white squares. Outside of that border is a wider border with faux Asian characters in brown over a gold ground. This border is cut down on the two sides with the fringe. On the other two sides, the border is surrounded by yet another border in the same color as the center ground. That border contains a thin, blue stripe on either side, and the center of one side also has some dark blue striping running perpendicular to the edge. The sides without fringe are bound with white yarn. The fringed sides are bound with blue and brown yarn. The white, cotton fringe is stitched into the binding. The reverse shows that the carpet was once much brighter, with the beige center and the faux script characters original pink.

Construction History
Late 19th-early 20th century: Initial Construction
June 1987: Cleaned by Shaia Oriental Rugs (Williamsburg, VA)Inscription(s)None foundMark(s)None foundProvenancePrior to 1979, JDR 3rd Fund; 1979-present, gifted to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)