'Imperial Ming Carpets Introduction' lecture at Textile Museum

28 Jan '06

2 min read

Washington based The Textile Museum will organize 'An Introduction to Imperial Ming Carpets' – lecture at its museum on February 4, 2006 at 2.30 PM.

The knotted pile carpet has been part of Chinese culture for at least 2,000 years, yet probably fewer than 600 Imperial Ming carpets survive today from the so-called 'classical' period (1400-1750). Because of their scarcity, they remain virtually unknown to all but a relatively small number of people.

Until recently it was believed that most of the surviving classical Chinese
Carpets remained in western institutions such as The Textile Museum, as well as in private collections.

Possibly the most important group is comprised of carpets that were made, probably in Beijing, in the 16th century specifically for the Royal Palaces.

Some 16 examples survive in western collections, along with a number of fragments. In 2000, Michael and Jacqueline Franses went to Beijing in search of the Imperial Ming carpets. The curator of furniture at the Royal Palace had been informed that some great carpets were placed many years ago in the upper floor of a storeroom, once Kangxi's Imperial Kitchen, that was sealed in the 1920s.

In this lecture, well-known textile authority and dealer Michael Franses will present images of many of the Imperial Ming carpets and discuss the various types and designs.

The Textile Museum presents a variety of lectures, workshops, seminars and demonstrations throughout the year. The mission is pursued through development and maintenance of collections, records and a library, as well as through scholarly research, exhibitions, publications and educational programs.

The Textile Museum

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