Pao Tao carpet, wool on cotton, Mongolia, early 20th century (or earlier)

The deer, in Chinese art, but also in Mongolian, Korean and Japanese, symbolizes resistance, grace and longevity. Since ancient times it was believed that they transported the deceased to the afterlife and were the steeds of the immortals.
At the four corners of the central background are represented stylized clouds which, full of rain, provide abundant water to the crops allowing the growth of food, medicinal herbs, magical fruits and alchemical minerals that promised longevity.
The central scene is framed by a border with floral registers. In the two lower corners there are two infinity knots and in the upper two open lotus flowers.
Former coworkers A. Nicolosi