Carpet square
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
circa 1910
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Object detail
Production place
Measurements
0 - Whole, L: 366 x W: 274cm (L: 3660 x W: 2740mm)
Credit line
Purchase, 2001
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Carpet square, China, c1910, Provenanced to Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, GSDA no 2, Castlecrag NSW.
Description
Chinese rugs have been manufactured since the 18th century and generally feature symbols and patterns from Buddhism, Taoism, and ancient China. The dragon, depicted in the centre and in each corner inside the border, rules over the forces of nature according to Chinese legend, and is the animal most commonly seen on Chinese carpets. The fretted border featuring a swastika design has many meanings in China and the ancient world in general, including longevity, or the heart of Buddha. The wool in Chinese rugs tends to be a little coarse, but quite hard wearing and evenly knotted, with a deep strong pile. The blue and yellow colours of this carpet are also common to Chinese rugs.
This carpet square was reputedly purchased in Sydney by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin when Marion moved into the Greater Sydney Development Association (GSDA) Dwelling no. 2 in Castlecrag in 1925. The carpet is clearly identifiable in a photograph of the interior of GSDA no. 2 in the Australian Home Beautiful, October 1927, and in the prospectus, Castlecrag Homes, c1925. In the article, 'Sunshine in the Home', published in the November 1922 edition of the Australian Home Builder, Walter Burley Griffin states that carpets are the most important furnishing to bring day light shades into the home. He advocates using carpets with base colours in shades of green, buff, and yellow over "dingy reds, browns, and nondescript mixtures most commonly in use on our floors" which were "robbers of life-giving light." It was the Griffins belief that the sound, harmonious design of buildings and furnishings could improve the human condition.
Provenanced to the Estate of Eric Nicholls and thence by descent.
This carpet square was reputedly purchased in Sydney by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin when Marion moved into the Greater Sydney Development Association (GSDA) Dwelling no. 2 in Castlecrag in 1925. The carpet is clearly identifiable in a photograph of the interior of GSDA no. 2 in the Australian Home Beautiful, October 1927, and in the prospectus, Castlecrag Homes, c1925. In the article, 'Sunshine in the Home', published in the November 1922 edition of the Australian Home Builder, Walter Burley Griffin states that carpets are the most important furnishing to bring day light shades into the home. He advocates using carpets with base colours in shades of green, buff, and yellow over "dingy reds, browns, and nondescript mixtures most commonly in use on our floors" which were "robbers of life-giving light." It was the Griffins belief that the sound, harmonious design of buildings and furnishings could improve the human condition.
Provenanced to the Estate of Eric Nicholls and thence by descent.
Accession number
L2001/16
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