First half 19th century, 129 x 67 cm, West China

In his article, “The RKO Family” (HALI 110), Hans König discussed this small-format rug group on the basis of 36 examples. He concluded that although these weavings are closely associated in composition, presenting a distinctive design of rows of short parallel bars (RKO design), mountain-and-wave borders at both ends and a central disc medallion, their technical features indicate that they must have been woven in different regions, such as Ningxia, Gansu and East Turkestan. The symbols at the centres of the medallions vary. In our RKO rug made in Ningxsia, the medallion depicts a blue stag and a white crane. The purpose of the these rugs (saddle base, sitting mat, table rug?) has not been established. – Obvious signs of age and wear, torn sections, uniformly low pile.

KÖNIG, HANS, The RKO-Family. In: HALI 110, London 2000, pp. 96 - 105