This antique Chinese Peking pictorial runner features a detailed village scene with rolling hills and distant mountains, woven within a central medallion that reads like a framed window into another time. In the foreground, villagers animate the landscape, lending the composition warmth, scale, and narrative depth.

Blossomed chrysanthemum flowers anchor each corner, a traditional motif symbolizing longevity and renewal. The palette is soft yet nuanced, blending ivory and antique ivory with beige, indigo and cobalt blue, pale rose, dusty blush, sand, and coffee brown—harmonious tones that feel both painterly and serene.

Smaller in scale, this rug is ideal for accent placement, layering, bedside use, or intimate spaces where storytelling and craftsmanship are meant to be closely experienced rather than viewed from afar.

Chinese Peking rugs emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, drawing from classical Chinese painting, symbolism, and imperial decorative arts. Unlike purely ornamental carpets, pictorial examples often depicted landscapes, village life, and nature scenes—visual expressions of harmony between humanity and the natural world.

During the 1910s, these rugs were typically hand-knotted in workshops using fine wool and restrained color palettes designed to age gracefully. Motifs such as mountains, flowers, and figures carried layered meaning: mountains symbolized stability and endurance, while chrysanthemums represented longevity and renewal.

This rug is among a small group of carpets released for sale for the first time in over fifty years from a prestigious New England collection, adding a notable layer of provenance. Its preservation and rarity speak to careful stewardship across generations.

Today, antique Chinese Peking pictorial rugs are collected as much for their artistic merit as their functional use—valued as woven artworks that bring quiet narrative and cultural depth into the home.

Mengju carries layered meaning rooted in Chinese language and symbolism. Meng suggests a beginning—the first in a series, an origin point—while ju refers to the chrysanthemum, a flower long associated with longevity, renewal, and quiet endurance.

Together, the name evokes the idea of an originating moment that lingers: a world unfolding gently rather than all at once. Chrysanthemum blossoms appear at the corners of the rug, framing the composition like sentinels of time, while the village scene within reads as a remembered place—viewed through a window, softened by distance, held in stillness.

Mountains rise in the background, figures move without urgency, and the landscape feels suspended between presence and memory. There is no spectacle here, only continuity—life observed, not interrupted.

Mengju is a contemplative piece. Placed in an intimate interior, it offers the feeling of return: to a beginning, to a quiet rhythm, to a dwelling shaped as much by memory and imagination as by place.

• Primary material: Wool
• Construction: Hand-knotted
• Dye method: Hand-dyed yarns
• Edges: Original side cord selvages, intact or professionally restored
• Finish: Fully secured sides and ends

This antique Chinese Peking rug is in excellent, well-preserved condition for its age. The wool pile remains even across the surface, maintaining clarity in the pictorial details and softness underfoot.

Most of the original side cord selvages are intact, with professional restoration where needed. The sides and ends are fully secured, ensuring structural stability for continued use.

The rug has been recently professionally cleaned and is ready for immediate in-home placement. Its condition, combined with its rarity and provenance, makes it a standout example of early 20th-century Chinese pictorial weaving.

Rugs are professionally cleaned prior to shipment. Minor loose fibers may be present upon arrival and will settle with gentle vacuuming.

We recommend using this rug in low-traffic or accent areas and pairing it with a quality rug pad for added support and longevity.

Vacuum gently without a beater bar. Spot clean as needed. For deep cleaning, consult a professional rug cleaner experienced with antique and hand-knotted rugs. Avoid excessive moisture and prolonged direct sunlight.

Is this rug one of a kind?
Yes. Each antique Chinese pictorial rug is unique in imagery, coloration, and weave. The rug shown is the exact piece you will receive.

Is this a genuine antique Chinese rug?
Yes. This rug was hand-knotted in China circa the 1910s and reflects traditional Peking pictorial weaving techniques.

Is the rug ready for use?
Yes. This rug has been professionally cleaned and is ready for immediate in-home placement.

Where does a rug this size work best?
This size is ideal for accent placement, layering, bedside use, reading nooks, or smaller living spaces.