Contemporary Floral and Chinese Rugs
Chinese rugs have been around since the early 19th century or even the late 18th century. One of the most famous Deco rugs was made by the American Walter Nichols. He was born in New York City in 1885 and began his career in China as a wool grader in 1920. By the year 1924 he started producing Nichols Chinese Rugs in the city of Tientsin in northern China. These rugs have a different type of construction than other Chinese or designer rugs because the knots while being weaved are turned and completed sideways. This allows twice as many knots to be tightly packed into the same space. This then creates a densely made carpet that has a smooth finished back and a stiff handle. This rug was named the “Nichols Chinese Super Rug” because they were thick plush contemporary rugs like no one had ever seen.
By the 1930’s the American market was more interested in simpler floral designs in pastel colors for home decor. This caused the change in the Chinese rugs once again. By the 1940’s a deep think carving look became very popular. By 1949 the Chinese revolution was complete and for the most part China was closed to the west. In reality by 1948 the Chinese art deco rug production had ended. Look to other wonderful hand knotted contemporary rugs that can be found online.