Mongolian carpets do not fit into the usual Chinese typology. Very often square, with limited palettes and of coarser wool, they seem to be woven by a separate craft tradition. This very attractive example has a Classic blue and white color scheme, dragon and fretwork corners, and Chinese objects (vases on dstands, Go boards, books), with a main paeony scroll border derived from Ningxia rugs. Regardless of exact origin, this circa 1880 carpet is totally authentic and impeccably Chinese in style.