The "classical" period of Chinese carpets dated from the early 15th century to the middle of the
18th century; from Yongle in the Ming Dynasty to the late Yongzheng period in the Qing Dynasty. Chinese carpets made during this period are considered to have reached the summit of carpet-making art in Chinese history.

During the Yongle period, the palaces of the Forbidden City were built. The craftsmen of the official carpet-making department specially designed carpets for the palaces. Carpet-making reached an artistic peak during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1619). During this period, the carpets were made with distinctive features- thick and heavy with the long knotted piles, and plied silk was utilized for warps. In the Qing Dynasty, when Emperor Kangxi was on an expedition to the west, he passed by Ningxia, a carpet-making center at the time. As a result, he became interested in the carpet-making process. Since then, Ningxia became the center of weaving carpets for the court in Beijing (i.e., the Forbidden City). Ningxia carpets are thin and soft, with unique woven borders and foundations. The materials are superb, the design and colors are elegant and harmonious, highly artistic and collectible. In the carpet world, "Old Ningxia" has become synonymous with Classical Chinese Carpets.