The materials from which the Chinese make their rugs are practically the same as are used in the other rug making countries with perhaps the exception that the wool varies more in quality, being on an average considerably coarser than that of Persia or Anatolia. The Chinese also employ considerable hair, which in appearance very much resembles that of a cow. Rugs made of this hair are known as Yak rugs.
Chinese weaving differs little from that of other parts of the Orient. Both the Senna and the Ghiordes knots are employed, most frequently the former, but the appearance is different on account of the size and looseness of the warp and pile yarn, which, in many instances, makes it impossible for the weaver to tie over eight to ten knots to the square inch. During the early part of the eighteenth century, designs were frequently made to stand out in relief by cutting somewhat shorter the wool around them.
Chinese designs are characteristic and interesting, being similar to those found in the old Chinese porcelains. As a rule they are simple, with little detail and are outlined with a contrasting color. No family or tribal designs are employed as in the other rug making countries. Each rug being usually the work of one weaver, both in design and execution, it is frequently symbolic of his creed.
During the 16th and 17th centuries the majority of Chinese rugs had a field of solid color or were covered with the trellis design. They also had but few narrow border stripes, either in plain colors or carrying simple geometric designs, but about the middle of the 18th century, they began to show Persian influence, floral patterns being adopted especially for the borders.
Like the designs, the colors employed by the weavers are quite similar to those used in the old porcelains. As a rule, they are dull, warm and harmonious, but few shades being used in the same piece.
The colors and shades most frequently used in Chinese rugs, named in order of their employment, are dark blue, yellow, light blue, apricot, ivory white, dark brown, cream, old red, tan, fawn, robin's egg blue, green, fruit red, persimmon red, ash white, sapphire blue, peach blow, salmon pink, brownish red, brick red, greenish yellow, turquoise blue, copper pink, and black.