Ming dynasty imperial carpet from longest-reigning Chinese emperor sells for US$324,500 at auction

The carpet features a dragon surrounding a flaming pearl, which is a symbol of prosperity

It belonged to a collector Jim Dixon, who once had a stunning public display of his carpets in California

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This carpet was likely used to to decorate the imperial palace during the Ming dynasty. Photo: Skinner Auctioneers

Published: 3:00pm, 24 May 2022Updated: 1:00am, 25 May 2022

A carpet that once graced China’s imperial palace during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) was sold in early May for US$324,500 at a Skinner auction in Boston in the eastern US.

The carpet features a large dragon in the lower centre of the piece, surrounded by a field of floating clouds. The mythical creature is enveloping a flaming pearl, which symbolises prosperity.

Benjamin Mini, director of rugs and carpets at Skinner, said the fact that the dragon has five claws was an important clue for the experts to indicate that it was woven for the imperial palace because only goods for the emperor could feature five-clawed dragons.

“Within the Daoist framework of belief, dragons on floating clouds can represent the wanderings of the soul or the attainment of dreams within reality. Dragons also often signify auspicious powers, especially control over the weather or the seasons,” he said.

The carpet was made out of wool pile interwoven with a silk base and uses techniques that are commonly attributed to the Ming era.

The carpet features an intricately designed dragon. Photo: Skinner Auctioneers

The carpet is believed to have been crafted during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1563–1620), who ruled for 48 years between 1572 and 1620, making him the longest-ruling leader of the Ming dynasty.