Portuguese Macau
Late 17th century (1675-1700)
A joined embroidered hanging, couched in polychrome floss silks on a plain woven ground, the whole composed of four rectangles each with a central flower surrounded by stylised carnations and peonies on a yellow ground surrounded by a blue-ground border of lotus flowers and scrolling foliage. For a similar piece, see the collection of the Museu do Éspirito Santo, Lisbon. Framed and backed by more recent cotton and wool backings. Good condition, ... Click for details
This ethnic batik of the Bai minority people in China’s Yunan Province is at once tribal and courant. The mysterious indigo figures floating on the cotton rectangle peer out of red eyes and have arms thrown akimbo as though dancing at a marvelous late night party. The late 20th century piece is in excellent condition, and measures 32” (81 cm) wide by 25” (64 cm).
A peacock embroidered in jewel tones stands on a low tree peony branch on this large red silk wall hanging from the late Qing period. During China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties, the peacock was used as a symbol of rank and also was presented as recognition for meritorious service. It symbolized beauty and dignity, and often was combined, as here, with the tree peony, emblem of Spring and good fortune. This peacock, its tail and wings spread wide against the red silk, is regal in shades of teal, pur... Click for details
A mid-Qing Dynasty red silk temple wall hanging has magnificent embroidery in gold and the traditional colors of Tibet. The early 19th century panel, now framed and protected under glass, is from a period of friendship and interaction between China’s Manchu leaders and the Buddhist lamas of Tibet, which would account for the merging of Chinese design elements with those more typically Tibetan Buddhist elements such as the lion’s tail, eight colored jewels riding in the waves and the ball under t... Click for details
Outstanding heirloom wedding blanket cover from the tiny Maonan ethnic minority of Guangxi, China. This piece dates from the 19th century and is composed of a hemp fiber foundation, natural dyed cotton (possibly hemp and cotton combination) background field with floss silk supplementary brocade weft symbols of phoenix, flowers and butterflies, and is in perfect condition with no holes or tears (minor wear of course), which is testament to the durability and hard wearingness of hemp m... Click for details
Five lions gambol across the intense red silk background of this mid-19th century Qing wall hanging. The heavy silk is lined and backed with a darker red silk, which along with the gold embroidery gives the piece weight. Heavy doubled strands of gold are couched in contours to form the frolicking lions, or fou dogs, and the surrounding streamers, balls and clouds. Metallic blue thread is couched to define tails, manes and other details. Five pairs of huge black eyes are done in satin stitch. The... Click for details
A silk collar from the late Qing Dynasty is made of six embroidered lappets shaped to resemble clouds. Cloud icons, evolved from archaic pictographs, have been used in Chinese art for thousands of years to symbolize abundance and the nourishment of life. This collar was worn on festival days by a young girl whose mother designed and embroidered it with six auspicious flowers and six auspicious insects to convey added good wishes for her daughter's future. The embroidery is done in a beautifully ... Click for details
Colorful embroidered silk shapes linked together with beads and loops create these long, mobile-like bedside hangings from late 19th century China. The auspicious shapes and symbols convey wishes for a long and successful life. These were made in Shaanxi Province, hung on either side of a bed, and originally, of course, were displayed without frames and glass as shown here. Each hanging is assembled from nine cutout shapes. The bottom black section is edged with a ruyi shape, emblem of long life... Click for details
Fine and rare two paneled silk embroidered “wedding blanket” from the small Maonan minority people of northern Guangxi Zhuang Province. This piece is 60 to 90 years old with a hand spun cotton foundation and hand spun silk. The frontal surface of the blanket is decorated with embroidered floral and phoenix symbols and key fret pattern highlighted by “floating weft” threads. The Maonan number just a little over 100,000 souls and are closely related to the Zhuang who are probably the... Click for details
Fine and rare “wedding blanket” panel from the Tujia people of Guizhou China. This piece has a lovely pastel toned reticulated diamond pattern, early 20th century circa 80 years, woven with all handspun cotton and silk yarn highlights. Total L: 1.18m/46in and W: 38cm/11in.
