A BAOTOU ‘HUNDRED BUTTERFLIES’ WOOL RUG, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIODChina, Inner Mongolia, mid-19th to early 20th century. Finely woven, depicting a myriad of butterflies in various shapes and groupings, such as pink, blue, red, cream, and black, fluttering above an ochre ground.Provenance: Swiss trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and little soiling.Dimensions: Size 169.5 x 102 cmBaotou carpets originate from Baotou, a region in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of China, noted for its high-quality workman and materials. The designs usually consist of landscapes or religious symbols, although horse, stag, lion, and other motifs are also used. These carpets are executed in fine wool dyed blue, brown, red, and beige with a cotton weave.The ‘hundred butterflies’ decoration is similar to the ‘hundred pleasures’ but has less emphasis on long life. In Chinese culture, the butterfly is seen as a symbol of rebirth after death and an indicator that your soulmate has arrived. The butterfly also represents long life and happiness. The story goes that those who see two butterflies flying together are guaranteed a lifetime of love and happiness.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s New York, 16 September 2009, lot 65Price: USD 5,625 or approx.EUR 7,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: Two Baotou pictorial rugs, ChinaExpert remark: Note that this lotprises two Baotou rugs measuring 163 x 105 cm and 180 x 94 cm.清末民初包頭百蝶紋羊毛地毯中國，内蒙古，十九世紀中期至二十世紀初。編織精美，無數只不同形狀和組合的蝴蝶，粉色、藍色、紅色、米色和黑色，在赭色地面上飛舞。