| Large carpets, particularly large wool carpets, were not used
in China until comparatively recent times. Rugs to cover the
‘Kang” or fire heated brick bed platform typical in North China
were not uncommon at least as early Ming times. These rugs were
typically divided to give a place to set a table on the Kang
or designed to cover the entire Kang. Most of these rugs were
made of felt and used camel hair, which was dyed black and red
at the borders.
The felt rugs, some silk and others wool, in the Shoso-in
at Nara, Japan are probably the earliest examples of Chinese
carpets and although dating is questioned may date back to
Tang times.
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