Antique Qing Dynasty Watercolor on Silk Framed Artwork

Description

Very large, framed watercolor on silk antique Qing Dynasty Chinese artwork. This one of a kind piece was hand painted … more Very large, framed watercolor on silk antique Qing Dynasty Chinese artwork. This one of a kind piece was hand painted with beautiful craftsmanship in the late 1700s - early 1800s.

It features turn of the century style female figures in a whimsical outdoor landscape in a style that could be described as quiet and detailed. The han women figures are wearing traditional Tang Dynasty clothing (the most brilliant page in the history of Chinese clothing) and are partaking in activities of leisure such as holding a fan, socializing, holding a scroll, playing with cranes and deers, and holding plants. The figures are quite striking with expressive faces and were made in a contrasting style from the background, making them really pop. Their hairstyles' clue us in that these women were nobles, likely married and older in age. It's hard to stop staring at this captivating piece...it makes you feel like you are a part of the history and story it is trying to tell. Good luck walking past it without stopping! Paintings during this period were truly a labor of love. Artists used natural water-based inks and pigments. The black ink came from lampblack, a substance made by burning pine resins or tung oil; colored pigments are derived from vegetable and mineral materials. Both were manufactured by mixing the pigment source with a glue base, which is then pressed into cake or stick form; using special stones and tools, the artist ground the ink back into a watery solution immediately before painting. The brushes used for painting were similar to those used for calligraphy, but there is greater variety in the shapes and resilience of brushes used. Traditionally two different types of painting surfaces were used:, silk and paper. Both require sizing, or treatment with a glue-like substance on their uppermost surface, to prevent ink and pigment from soaking into and being completely absorbed by the ground. This piece was created with silk. Applying paint to a silk surface requires more painstaking techniques, building up ink and colors carefully and gradually in layers. If you look closely you can see these layers throughout this piece.

This artwork was originally brought into existence as a hanging scroll. Hanging scroll displays show off entire, large paintings scenes all at once and typically range in height from two to six feet. The earliest hanging scrolls may be related developmentally to tomb banners, which are known from the early Han dynasty. Hanging scrolls came to be used with greater regularity from the tenth century onward. Traditionally, fine Chinese paintings were only taken out and viewed on special occasions, which serves to preserve their condition. They were kept in storage when not in use. Collectors often select to frame their pieces so they can display them continuously. In the 1950's this piece was preserved in a professional mid-century frame. This is evident by the original gold foil sticker on the back that reads "Distinctive Framing Chappell's 160 South Lake Pasadena Phone Sycamore 3-2575". The frame is quite elegant; featuring a thin wooden border with rounded edges and a brass, asian motif hardware on the top for hanging. It also has a metal wire on the back if you prefer to hang it that way.

Measurements:
Entire piece including frame - 57" tall x 27 1/8" wide x 3/4" deep (amount it comes off of wall when hung)
Artwork only - 50 1/4" tall x 21 1/2" wide
Matting Width - approx 1 7/8"
Frame Width - approx 5/8" less