tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24098980736033847852024-03-14T02:54:34.897-07:00Musings on Chinese Furniture and CultureThe intention of this blog is to share knowledge, experiences and personal anecdotes pertaining to Chinese antique furniture. Furthermore, it is a discussion on ways to furnish the living environment with Chinese furniture and accessories.Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-31455220545231718272020-08-13T01:12:00.003-07:002020-08-13T01:12:41.663-07:00<p> Thank you for viewing my musings. I have been absent for several years but I hope to continue to write and post and share my experiences soon,</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-83800729168496648922016-05-13T19:44:00.001-07:002016-05-13T19:44:54.619-07:00A Painted Tibetan Cabinet with a Warrior Diety<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYpsTGL5PQ8/VzZ-ox08wTI/AAAAAAAA_uo/NckDj65CEXgUXi6VgdqcbILw6n-DCBkbACLcB/s1600/Lot%2B204%2B-%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYpsTGL5PQ8/VzZ-ox08wTI/AAAAAAAA_uo/NckDj65CEXgUXi6VgdqcbILw6n-DCBkbACLcB/s640/Lot%2B204%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="433" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #565656; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Tibetan cabinets
are always colorful. The quality of the painting is dependent on the
ability of the artist, often a monk painter who earns merit as he paints
religious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism on the cabinet's surfaces. The
cabinet is in two parts. The top section has ample storage and can be
converted for storing wine. The interior surfaces are lined with printed
yellow paper of Tibetan prayers and religious symbols. The reason for this
is simple. Many areas of Tibet are in high altitudes above tree lines. In
the lower areas where trees grow, the lumber available for furniture
making is mostly evergreen, such as pine which is not an attractive wood.
So paper is used to beautify the interior surfaces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #565656; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This Tibetan cabinet is distinctively different
for having recessed doors to highlight the image of an unusual looking warrior
deity seated at royal ease with right leg bent and left leg pendant with a
tiger at his back. His full beard and large ears made him fierce compounded
with the fact that he holds a long drawn sword. A worshipper pays homage with a
bent knee and holding a plate of offering. The figures are situated against a
pastoral background with lush green trees and ground. The background is set
with craggy rocks and vegetation. A tall tree with green leaves stands at a
corner and Garuda, a bird deity appears at the left corner on the top. His beak
holds a long snake and his claw hands hold it in place. According to a Tibetan
expert, this bearded deity is probably a protector worshipped by people of a
certain local, and he would not be found in the pantheon of Tibetan deities. He
is acknowledged as a princely figure, seated in a princely pose.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_GNbn2E8X4/VzaPBCTw9LI/AAAAAAAA_vw/15gkp3MvEscPDi5M5EKP0SwYa7N3GHS0wCKgB/s1600/Lot%2B204%2B-%2B5%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_GNbn2E8X4/VzaPBCTw9LI/AAAAAAAA_vw/15gkp3MvEscPDi5M5EKP0SwYa7N3GHS0wCKgB/s320/Lot%2B204%2B-%2B5%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #565656; font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The cabinet has
good age and the restorations made it attractive. Details in the architectural
elements that frame the header of the cabinet, and on the bottom section show
everything was hand chiseled. It was said that a prayer went with every wood
square as the carving was performed. These architectural elements are not
unlike the ones in the temples. The paintings everywhere on this particular
cabinet appear to be older than the painting of the pig face warrior on the
doors. It is very possible that original door painting was defaced and needed a
replacement. This cabinet is like a miniature temple, and the original purpose
was storage for religious objects. It is very attractive and should be
appreciated regardless of the alterations. The overall dimensions are 36 inches
wide, 22 inches deep and 84 inches high.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/45075509_colorful-large-painted-tibetan-cabinet-with-warrior">https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/45075509_colorful-large-painted-tibetan-cabinet-with-warrior</a><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-19827395136079269382016-04-29T00:21:00.001-07:002016-04-29T00:21:26.578-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now for something
entirely different: </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">thirty three years ago, I began graduate studies in
the Division of Humanities at the University of Chicago. My field of study was Chinese Art
History. For the five years that
followed I wrote research papers on Chinese art history, literature and history. Then a turn of events necessitated my
departure from academia and plunged me into the world of business. My ability to look at previously unknown
objects and turn out pages of organized research went dormant. Sometime in
2006 we acquired this piece of Buddhist sculpture, its provenance unknown. I have looked at it for many years before I gathered
enough courage and made this attempt at research using the same analytical
methods that previously served me well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Niche on an Ornamental
Base with Guardian Lions</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An unpublished
researc</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt;">h paper by Margaret Chung, AM University of Chicago</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The niche with an assembly of Buddhist figures is carved from a block of
micaceous marble. It is placed on an elaborately carved square
base, also made of the same material. The form is unusual and can be
viewed as a grotto in miniature. For ease of carving, the top slab appeared to
have been removed and then restored upon completion. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2px;">n a symmetrical plane, the Buddha Sakyamuni emanates from the center and is flanked by his attendants in a semi-circle extending beyond the niche’s interior. He is seated cross-legged on a lotus throne, his right hand in </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2px;">abhaya</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2px;"> mudra, and his left hand resting on his knee in the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2px;">varada</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2px;"> mudra. Behind him, around the circumference of the nimbus are four soaring apsarases with flying scarves. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">On his right and left are two monks, Ananda and
Kasyapa, Their faces are almost similar, though by tradition, Ananda
the young monk stands on Sakyamuni’s right and Kasyapa the older on the left.
The monks stand with their hands folded in their sleeves and next to them are
two bodhisattvas. They are plainly attired save a pectoral neck band
and double strands of flowing scarves across the dhoti. Their upheld
right hands hold lotus buds antheir left hands hold a heart shaped
fan. Next to the bodhisattvas and behind the </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">lokapalas</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> are
donor figures. The one to the right of Buddha has been damaged in
the face.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Seen only from the
waist up, both donors wear the voluminous garments, their hands tucked in the
sleeves and resting on the halos of the <i>lokapalas</i>. The <i>lokapala</i> on
the right holds a long sword and the other has his hands in tight fists across
his chest. Two <i>dvarapalas</i> with bare chests stand on guard at the
exterior of the niche under the hanging strand of lotus blossoms framing each
wall. The musculature of their well toned body is clearly defined.
With their right arms up and left arms tautly extended in a martial gesture,
they are fine manifestations of powerful guardians. The assembly of figures is
placed under an elaborately carved canopy with scallop edge plaited
drapery. Specks of mica are spotted here and there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The niche’s exterior
is left unfinished on the sides and backs. Was that the intent or were
the surfaces saved for inscription and more carving? The niche is
supported by a beautifully ornamented marble base, finished on all
four sides with the same design. At the top on which the niche rests is a
band of repeat pattern of double upturn lotus petals. Underneath are
three dwarf caryatids or atlas figures. Each dwarf strikes a different
pose. Like the <i>dvarapalas</i>, the musculature of each dwarf is
well defined. Two lion dogs sitting on their haunches act as guardians at the
upper corners.</span><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx6Aiwu4Xuw/VyL4HMIQdJI/AAAAAAAA_ts/3xDobzyhxiYiPSqWUCc8pBBwxsiMs4kzQCLcB/s1600/Lot%2B212%2B-%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx6Aiwu4Xuw/VyL4HMIQdJI/AAAAAAAA_ts/3xDobzyhxiYiPSqWUCc8pBBwxsiMs4kzQCLcB/s320/Lot%2B212%2B-%2B7.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">In Buddhist sculptures, assemblies of multiple figures are
common. Each composition is an illustration of a particular sutra, done
in accordance to a prescribed iconography. In the case of
the marble niche, the makeup of this particular pantheon of the Buddha
figure accompanied by bodhisattvas, lokapalas, dvarapalas, lions and donors are
rarely seen before the Tang Dynasty (CE 618-907.) The best example of
such a grouping is the assembly accompanying the colossal image of Vairocana at
the Fengxian Temple of Longman, Henan Province. The Fengxian Temple was
constructed after the mid 7 century with support from Empress Wu Zetian (CE
625-705.) </span></div>
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<img alt="Lu She Na Buddha" height="266" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Lushena_Buddha_at_Longmen_Grottos_in_Luoyang.JPG/1920px-Lushena_Buddha_at_Longmen_Grottos_in_Luoyang.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;">(photo credit Wikipedia Fengxian Temple Longmen Grottoes)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Upon the review of the groups named above, the construction of
the marble niche clearly predates the construction of the Fengxian
Temple at Longman. The serenely seated Buddha and the columnar forms of
the standing </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">dvarapala </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">monks and bodhisattvas with square
fleshy faces are more reminiscent of Northern Qi sculptures. The canopy
with the line of triangular forms superimposed on the plaited drapery is even
more evocative of earlier times. Inasmuch as the enlivened figures of the</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">dvarapalas</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> portrayed
with upturned head ribbons and long flying scarves are more animated, it is not an exception but rather a rule for guardian figures. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the assignment of a date, the base should also be taken into
consideration. The marble base with the dwarf atlas figures
bears a close resemblance to a pedestal base of a similar design and of the
same material that was excavated and accessioned in 1954 to the Beilin Museum
of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province. This base without the two lion dogs was
made to support a statue. It is dated by inscription to 706 and measures
57cm in length, 53cm in width and 39cm high. According to the inscription,
the base was one of four commissioned by Fazang (CE 643-712,) a scholar who had
great expertise on the <i>Avatamsaka</i> Sutra (<i>Huayan</i> Sutra)
even before he became the founder of the <i>Huayan</i> School.
Under the patronage of Empress Wu, <i>Huayan</i> Buddhism flourished
and temples were built in Luoyang as well as Chang’an. It is believed that
these bases were made in veneration of the <i>Huayan</i> Patriarchs,
of which Fazang was the third and their relics were housed in the five stupas
built on the compound of the <i>Huayan</i> Temple outside of present
day Xi’an. Today only the first and the fourth stupas are left standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Is it even plausible to link the the niche with the base together
within the same time of manufacture? The answer is no. Although they look
the same, the depiction of the lions on the marble niche base predates
the Tang period and the dwarf figures are often seen in Northern Qi
sculptures. It is possible that the aesthetics of the base is so pleasing
that it has become a design for bases in Buddhist sculptures. The reason
why it is rarely seen is probably due to the time and labor required for its
making. Besides, the Buddhist persecution that took place around 846 destroyed
an immeasurable number of Buddhist images. In addition, it was really
fortuitous that the marble niche fits exactly into the base and the
visible chips and losses probably resulted when the niche was removed from the
base after a long period of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In the construction of the marble niche, the artisans made skillful
use of the space. In their efforts to preserve the accurate iconographic
prescription, the artisans took liberty in the juxtaposition of the
deities. During the conversations with the late Harrie Vanderstappen, my
mentor at the University of Chicago and other people in the field, I have
gained some understanding of this object. According to Father
Vanderstappen, marble is a medium for use by those who enjoyed
imperial patronage. Could the donor figures be imperial personages?
They are even adorned with halos, and stand on the same level with the
bodhisattvas, a highly unusual practice for donor figures who are portrayed in
a small size and in kneeling in adoration. Others have suggested that it is the
base of a reliquary to be placed within a cave tomb high on a hill, thus making
it unnecessary to finish the niche’s side walls. For what purpose did
this marble niche and base serve, I may never know. But based
on the stylistic analysis of the figures compared with
other marble sculptures of the same period, Northern Qi is a likely
date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This dating is further
supported by a theory that I formulated based on the history of the Avatamsaka
Sutra in China. The first full
translation was made in 420 CE. The
ruling house of the Northern Qi was very religious. It is highly lightly that the members were
reading the Avatamsaka sutra, where this particular iconography of Buddha
flanked by two monks, two bodhisattvas, two lokapalas and two dvarapalas is
associated with. Therefore this marble
niche would predate the the sculptures at Longmen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dimensions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The marble niche:
53cm x 36cm x 41cm high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Buddha: 24cm high
(from lotus base to top of halo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Monk: 20cm high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bodhisattva: 24cm high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Donor: 14cm (from
chest to top of halo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lokapala: </span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">14cm high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dvarapala:</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> 25cm high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Marble base: 65cm
square<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dwarf caryatid: 10cm
high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lion: 10cm high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Total height of niche
on base: 65cm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Marble Niche and
Base is offered for sale through <a href="http://www.liveauctioneers.com/">www.liveauctioneers.com</a> in the following link:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/45075516_marble-niche-on-an-ornamental-base-with-guardian-lions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p>Stylistic analysis was a methodology taught by my mentor the late Harrie Vanderstappen, In the absence of provenance, and supporting evidence based on archaeological finds of related materials, it appears to be a plausible method of dating. Any other approach to dating is open for discussion. Please feel free to leave remarks.</o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-20275944345391354232014-09-05T00:53:00.000-07:002014-09-05T00:53:23.331-07:00Flowers and Floral Patterns in Chinese Jade Carvings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Flowers and Floral Patterns in Chinese Jade Carvings</span></b><div>
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Sometimes unforeseen circumstances motivate the inspiration to write. <span style="font-size: small;"> I was cleaning the portion of my book shelf containing research books on Chinese jades when, quite by chance I came upon a book </span><i>Jade Flowers and Floral Patterns in Chinese Decorative Art </i><span style="font-size: small;">by Cheng Te-k’un. Dusting was put aside and I spent the next hour refreshing my knowledge of jade flowers. My love for jade flowers was instilled early in my childhood by my mother who loved jades. When it was time to name her daughters, she selected the character </span><i>hua </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">(flower) for all her seven daughters, and identified each of us after a certain type of jade. Dr. Cheng’s writing was thorough. He discussed the earliest form of jade flower was found during the Warring States period (475 – 221 BC.) The popularity grew and by the Tang Dynasty (CE 618 – 907) jade flowers were in vogue. Ladies wore them as personal ornaments. The best examples of flowers and floral patterns in jades still extant today are dated to the Yuan (CE 1279 – 1368) and Ming Dynasty (CE 1368 – 1644.) They are carved out of nephrite. In the Qing Dynasty, jade flowers were carved in both nephrite and jadeite, the green color jade from Burma. The illustrations in the Jade Flowers book are plentiful but the common practice in the older scholarly books, they are in black and white print.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8W1BDpU_k2c/VAldG-tJRzI/AAAAAAAAtM8/r6DO9kv9v1g/s1600/CCI08132014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8W1BDpU_k2c/VAldG-tJRzI/AAAAAAAAtM8/r6DO9kv9v1g/s1600/CCI08132014.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, it was not long that I came to a 1991 exhibition catalog from
Spink & Son Ltd titled </span><i>Chinese Jade. </i><span style="font-size: small;">There
are some really good photographs. The oldest flowers are No. 67 in the center and No. 69. They are dated Song (CE 960-1279.) The rest are Song to Ming.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">The five large jade plaques to the left are also from the Spink catalog. Each piece is a good illustration of how floral patterns flow smoothly in the background.They are dated to the Yuan to Ming. The small flower at the center bottom is a very popular Ming design.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">While browsing through Leslie Hindman Auctioneer's September Asian Sale, to my delight, I found more examples of the related topic. </span></span><a href="http://catalogues.lesliehindman.com/asp/search.asp?pg=1&st=D&sale_no=329" style="line-height: 18px;">http://catalogues.lesliehindman.com/asp/search.asp?pg=1&st=D&sale_no=329</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Flowers<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smaller Jade Flowers, very much like the one at Spink's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Flower, very similar to Spink's No. 68<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Hairpins of the Ming Dynasty</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two end pieces are jadeite carvings and the center is a rust color jade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not identified but this and the three pieces above are very similar to the Spink's jade flowers<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Also at Sale 329 of Leslie Hindman's are good examples of how jade flowers are included in the background of pierce jade plaques.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lastly this is a jade flower from my collection and my Chinese name Kunhua, really means agate, a type of stone that is even harder than jade, but still belongs to the Jade family.</span></div>
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Please note that these examples of jade flowers are randomly selected and further research at other auction and internet sites will yield more examples.<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-62035110082566990262012-09-23T03:15:00.001-07:002012-09-23T03:34:04.165-07:00Return to Yunnan Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPg3LtYrDws/UF690TI6S3I/AAAAAAAABGY/xyD0nGOH7RA/s1600/Autumn+colors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPg3LtYrDws/UF690TI6S3I/AAAAAAAABGY/xyD0nGOH7RA/s400/Autumn+colors.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Autumn Woods near Lijiang, Yunnan Province</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td 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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">I was born on an autumn evening in the city of
Kunming, Yunnan Province in Southwest China. Within a year WWII ended, my
father, my sister and I in my mother’s arms boarded a transport plane and left
Kunming. I never returned until another fine autumn evening more than half a
century later. The city held no memory, except for a phrase from a children’s
ditty that my mother and sister used to sing to me. It said something about a
temple on East Street and a temple on West Lane. To my surprise and disappointment, the temples
still exist but impossible for me to reach.
The streets and lanes in the older section of town were too narrow for
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">My tour began with a visit to Da Guan Lou
Park – a beautiful garden with traditional architecture. Any adjective to describe gardens in Yunnan
is superfluous. Yunnan Province is the
mother garden of the world. In the period between late 19 to early 20 century, botanists from all over the world over came to identify and collect specimens. Many common flowers such as the Easter lily were propagated from the Yunnan originals. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4Ap-GRcBiM/UF7BedaMlvI/AAAAAAAABGo/GN1P-vQWHmw/s1600/Kunming+Daguanyuan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4Ap-GRcBiM/UF7BedaMlvI/AAAAAAAABGo/GN1P-vQWHmw/s320/Kunming+Daguanyuan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pavilion at Da Guan Lou Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ANh9z9FmI4/UF7CDRF1hNI/AAAAAAAABG4/EsNtDXre55E/s1600/DSCN1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ANh9z9FmI4/UF7CDRF1hNI/AAAAAAAABG4/EsNtDXre55E/s320/DSCN1575.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lake full of lotus plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jch-EB4hQc0/UF7CKydYLVI/AAAAAAAABHI/4pvgwnWHnfs/s1600/FLower+among+faded+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jch-EB4hQc0/UF7CKydYLVI/AAAAAAAABHI/4pvgwnWHnfs/s320/FLower+among+faded+leaves.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A solitary lotus flower standing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Accustomed to small ponds of lotus in botanical gardens, this huge lake of green leaves as far as the eye could see was breath taking! But we were too late to see the lotus flowers in bloom. Many of the leaves already turned brown, but I was thrilled to find a solitary pink flower still standing.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZP3wbeTvlQ/UF7CG2BQjRI/AAAAAAAABHA/HdOq_IudOu8/s1600/DSCN1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZP3wbeTvlQ/UF7CG2BQjRI/AAAAAAAABHA/HdOq_IudOu8/s320/DSCN1570.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysanthemums of all varieties were on display</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next morning we boarded a plane for Lijiang, home of the Naxi, one of the ethnic minority people in China. The Old Town, now a UNESCO Heritage site, was on the confluence of the horse and tea trade for over 800 years. Most of the buildings around Old Town dated to the Ming Dynasty CE 1368 - 1644. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwS8Pbk4woo/UF7GQyiAkBI/AAAAAAAABHo/1FZrhIKnaVI/s1600/DSCN1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwS8Pbk4woo/UF7GQyiAkBI/AAAAAAAABHo/1FZrhIKnaVI/s320/DSCN1701.JPG" width="320" /><span style="background-color: white;"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small horses are more tolerant of the cold temperature </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJx_-JlBS_Q/UF7GV1BJSHI/AAAAAAAABHw/69kQEhod7_0/s1600/Posing+in+Old+Lijiang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJx_-JlBS_Q/UF7GV1BJSHI/AAAAAAAABHw/69kQEhod7_0/s320/Posing+in+Old+Lijiang.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Architecture around the Old Town was restored after an earthquake. Michael and I were enthralled with the colorful and peaceful surroundings. The buildings were constructed with timber and rocks, and small waterways brought running water from the nearby rivers. We came to Lijiang for a personal reason. My father the horticulturist, was a friend of Dr. Joseph Rock (1884-1962,) the famous botanist who studied ethnic minority languages, including the Naxi. He was a local legend and his former home is now a shrine. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq4x_azw2iw/UF7GI8yI2YI/AAAAAAAABHY/-R42lGusvN4/s1600/DSCN1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq4x_azw2iw/UF7GI8yI2YI/AAAAAAAABHY/-R42lGusvN4/s320/DSCN1631.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tower in the town square </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AoYwYntJAU/UF7GcGBeNLI/AAAAAAAABH4/a-eFXrH4D68/s1600/DSCN1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AoYwYntJAU/UF7GcGBeNLI/AAAAAAAABH4/a-eFXrH4D68/s320/DSCN1688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">Restored buildings were interesting and pleasing to the eye, but I was glad to see a few of the more traditional houses built with bricks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">We left the city and headed for a higher altitude. The tour brought us to a station where we boarded a ski lift for a ride to the forests above. The trees - autumn colors in a mist, made for a good painting study. And moss - growing in mounds were everywhere! I was in heaven. My fascination with moss began by watching my grandfather trying to grow moss in his miniature grotto. He knew he could not make moss grow, but that did not deter him. If he could only be with us, he would surely collect specimens out of the moss laden fallen logs.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVofmmDf448/UF7OkFj4m8I/AAAAAAAABIU/wzuZCEBb2Pc/s1600/DSCN1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVofmmDf448/UF7OkFj4m8I/AAAAAAAABIU/wzuZCEBb2Pc/s320/DSCN1704.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A moss lover's dreamscape</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6lciRsSF6I/UF7S1mf5k1I/AAAAAAAABIw/2jtDW1AvpBU/s1600/DSCN0001-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6lciRsSF6I/UF7S1mf5k1I/AAAAAAAABIw/2jtDW1AvpBU/s400/DSCN0001-15.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of snow covered mountains </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZbQhhc5VH8/UF7S2aGKIgI/AAAAAAAABI4/yXwRzYRWYMw/s400/DSCN0013+%25282%2529.jpg" style="background-color: #f9cb9c; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow capped mountain range - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain near Lijiang, Yunnan Province 2006</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZbQhhc5VH8/UF7S2aGKIgI/AAAAAAAABI4/yXwRzYRWYMw/s1600/DSCN0013+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> After what seemed to be a long hike, we arrived at a scenic area where we could view the snow capped mountain range of the Yuelongxue Shan - the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It was a sight to behold!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">(to be continued) </span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-2281800943292942372012-09-17T17:40:00.004-07:002012-09-17T17:40:53.171-07:00Endearing Yixing Teapots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yC15R8lLImo/UFe4KSzYMyI/AAAAAAAABEM/6nNEvhOrDaQ/s1600/P1110810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yC15R8lLImo/UFe4KSzYMyI/AAAAAAAABEM/6nNEvhOrDaQ/s320/P1110810.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teapot painted with Famille Rose Enamels circa 1800's<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lately I have much success selling teapots. Although the bulk of our inventory is in
antique furniture, we still have a small collection of Chinese ceramics that
includes Yixing teapots. Most people may
not associate the name Yixing to the fanciful pottery teapots they see all over
<st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">China</st1:country>, and in tea shops and
Museum gift shops in the <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">United
States</st1:country>.
These teapots, handmade by potters in <st1:city w:st="on">Yixing</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Jiangsu</st1:state> Province in <st1:place w:st="on">Southeast
China</st1:place>, were and still remain for three hundred years, the best vessel for brewing tea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yixing,
a name synonymous with tea and tea ware, is located west of Taihu in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Jiangsu</st1:state></st1:place> province. Until the Song dynasty (960-1279), this area
was known as Yangxian. Yixing is one of
the great pottery centers of <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country>. Moreover, it is noted for its scenic beauty
and association with many people and events. The proximity to three important
cities - <st1:city w:st="on">Nanjing</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Shanghai</st1:city>,
and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hangzhou</st1:place></st1:city>
made Yixing an ideal location for a pottery center. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The
surrounding hills have rich deposits of clay and plenty of fuel for firing. The
nearby lake and the network of rivers and canals are convenient for transporting
and distributing the finished products. The color of the fired pottery objects
in rich purple brown gave the wares the popular name of </span><i style="font-size: medium;">Zisha</i><span style="font-size: small;"> – purple sand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Today
<i>Zisha </i>teapots come in a wide range of
colors and designs. Some are just brilliant;
they take on the most creative shapes and designs. The plain teapots in globular or simple geometric
forms are the best for inscribers to engrave paintings and calligraphy. The teapots I have been selling were made
around the turn of the century.
Collectors specially like teapots with famous potters and
inscribers. Others look for interesting
shapes, and some collectors buy teapots that were imported for sale at the
Chinese pavilions at International World’s Fairs beginning in 1876 in <st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state>, <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:city>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">San
Francisco</st1:city></st1:place> and so forth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kOgnuqBKjs/UFe5Bewa0nI/AAAAAAAABEU/u871dzB0lBE/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kOgnuqBKjs/UFe5Bewa0nI/AAAAAAAABEU/u871dzB0lBE/s320/IMG_2643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I
randomly picked a few ………………..Enjoy!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cDT8rmvXsD8/UFe5s8h_nwI/AAAAAAAABEg/okmEnzecfkI/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cDT8rmvXsD8/UFe5s8h_nwI/AAAAAAAABEg/okmEnzecfkI/s320/IMG_2646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGI35DL_JFM/UFe50evCY5I/AAAAAAAABEw/fgEpuuZqVaw/s1600/P1130568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGI35DL_JFM/UFe50evCY5I/AAAAAAAABEw/fgEpuuZqVaw/s320/P1130568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AiKiq4gWchs/UFe6DfjkA6I/AAAAAAAABFE/DzANRLa5LF4/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AiKiq4gWchs/UFe6DfjkA6I/AAAAAAAABFE/DzANRLa5LF4/s200/IMG_3545.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">All three teapots above were made at the turn of the 20 century, the first in the shape of a hat, the second was a fine shape to show off calligraphy and the third was in the shape of an archaic bronze vessel with a dragon spout.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBMJtbKA3qU/UFe6Grx_RpI/AAAAAAAABFM/WWLr0VQcUpY/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBMJtbKA3qU/UFe6Grx_RpI/AAAAAAAABFM/WWLr0VQcUpY/s320/IMG_3651.JPG" width="302" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Teapot above is a typical piece that were offered for </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">sale in the Chinese Pavilions in the World's Fairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This one in the form of a tree trunk and decorated with </span><span style="font-size: small;">branches and flowers of the plum tree - or prunus, circa 1900's.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Teapot to the left is a sweet contemporary piece with an overhead handle. It is also decorated in the theme of the plum blossoms.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3EPPjhK-NEc/UFe6JWwTeJI/AAAAAAAABFU/NcbfFPuVW1k/s1600/IMG_2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3EPPjhK-NEc/UFe6JWwTeJI/AAAAAAAABFU/NcbfFPuVW1k/s200/IMG_2954.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This red pottery teapot was exported to Europe and refitted with a silver spout. A similar teapot was recovered in an 18 century shipwreck.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QSz0_rzvpw/UFe6TMTU22I/AAAAAAAABFc/t8l3Nu3watc/s1600/DSCN6119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QSz0_rzvpw/UFe6TMTU22I/AAAAAAAABFc/t8l3Nu3watc/s320/DSCN6119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">A fun piece - a collection of fruit and nuts, from the 1980's: walnut, chestnut, gingko, caltrop, peanut, sunflower seed etc.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8y0HiG7nyk/UFe6eIFzcrI/AAAAAAAABFk/j9X6iT7InWc/s1600/P1160811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8y0HiG7nyk/UFe6eIFzcrI/AAAAAAAABFk/j9X6iT7InWc/s320/P1160811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAUdlQ01EyQ/UFe6rH0_lqI/AAAAAAAABFs/9SpGukkog24/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAUdlQ01EyQ/UFe6rH0_lqI/AAAAAAAABFs/9SpGukkog24/s200/IMG_2585.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNQv6FCWoTM/UFe8LIJK9FI/AAAAAAAABF0/2_n98GQZwBo/s1600/2011-09-28+18.34.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNQv6FCWoTM/UFe8LIJK9FI/AAAAAAAABF0/2_n98GQZwBo/s320/2011-09-28+18.34.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Directly above is a miniature teapot in a beautiful purple sand color clay. The one on the top right has an unusual form with two brewing chambers. To the right is a beautifully burnished pot with a buffalo finial on the cover. All three teapots were made in the 1900's to 1930's.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEkNshkvjYM/UFe53xHCI1I/AAAAAAAABE4/BShpfwBrE6Y/s1600/P1130623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEkNshkvjYM/UFe53xHCI1I/AAAAAAAABE4/BShpfwBrE6Y/s320/P1130623.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">An interesting contemporary teapot in the form of a wooden well bucket.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VN0-BPqgqQo/UFfA5QghPAI/AAAAAAAABGI/sKsXVbekCBI/s1600/P1170098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VN0-BPqgqQo/UFfA5QghPAI/AAAAAAAABGI/sKsXVbekCBI/s320/P1170098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally we have a large teapot with a handle that was made by a metal smith in Thailand. The Thai imported teapots like this one and burnished it until it achieved a glass like sheen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you have Yixing teapots and would like to learn more about them, please leave comments. Now I am ready for a cup of tea.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-85546205960082320342012-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:002012-08-24T15:17:30.242-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dn8tIjTbzCM/UDf2nTHP0YI/AAAAAAAABDQ/_SoTo7lVidU/s1600/IMG_0796+alcove+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dn8tIjTbzCM/UDf2nTHP0YI/AAAAAAAABDQ/_SoTo7lVidU/s320/IMG_0796+alcove+bed.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alcove Bed from Zhejiang, 19 Century</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
A Fancy Alcove Bed or A Child’s Playhouse</h2>
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<o:p> </o:p></h2>
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Recently my company Three Friends Studio made a major move
from the Chicago Merchandise Mart to <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">River
Place</st1:address></st1:street>, just a few miles down from the <st1:place w:st="on">Chicago River</st1:place>.<span> </span>In
addition, materials stored at the suburban warehouse also made their way to the
new place in the city.<span> </span>The idea is to
have the entire collection together. <span> </span>Despite
the careful planning of professionals facilitating the process, the moves were
carried out under time constrains, and not at all easy.</div>
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One of the greatest fear of moving antiques and furniture
with multiple parts was the misplacement or loss of parts.<span> </span>Sometimes it is not so much the financial
loss that I find egregious, but that I fail as the guardian of that object,
whose artistic value is ruined because of my negligence.<span> </span></div>
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Originally I had hoped that everything would fit into a
space of 5,900 square feet, just a bit smaller than half of an Olympic size
swimming pool.<span> </span>At the last minute, it
was necessary to lease another 4,400 square feet space two floors down.<span> </span>To my regret, the collection of furniture and
antiques is again divided, but I take comfort that they are still under the
same roof.<span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ED34pRjsMA/UDf4MGUs7iI/AAAAAAAABDg/bbVijyx39zs/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ED34pRjsMA/UDf4MGUs7iI/AAAAAAAABDg/bbVijyx39zs/s320/IMG_3438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The layers of friezes that made up the entablature. </td></tr>
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The Chinese bed is the most elaborate among the wide variety
of furniture types, and the hardest to move.<span>
</span>My husband Michael and I like Chinese beds for their architectonic
elements.<span> </span>They are constructed like
miniature houses, the best examples to show off the art of Chinese furniture
making.<span> </span>It is so easy to admire the
multiple parts that made up a bed, and forget that no nails were ever
used.<span> </span>Michael likes beds because he is
really an engineer at heart, he likes things with multiple parts that can be
assembled and taken apart.<span> </span>I like beds
for a totally different reason.<span> </span>As an
art historian who has dabbled in Chinese literature, beds are symbolic and they
reflect the user’s taste and wealth.<span> </span>We
have to move four beds that have multiple parts.<span> </span>I did the best I could by putting
identifications on each one, at least on the parts that I could reach in the
overcrowded warehouse.<span> </span>The one piece of
furniture that weighed heavily on my mind was an alcove bed, the one that is
made of over 70 pieces.<span> </span>This bed is
raised from the ground by a tall two part platform and it boasts of its own
sitting area outside of the sleeping quarters, larger enough for two chairs and
a small table.<span> </span>I fear I was quite
paranoid when the bed was moved.<span>
</span>Previously it was already taken apart, panels together, posts tied in
bundles, and small parts in a plastic crate.<span>
</span>People often perceive me of having an even temperament.<span> </span>But this time I surprised the movers by being
quite bossy when they moved this bed.<span> </span>I
made sure all the carved lintels, poles and panels were blanket wrapped, and
the lintels that have protrusions were securely tied to the side of the truck. </div>
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Despite my best efforts, the alcove bed could not be moved
as a unit, due to its odd shape parts, the movers explained.<span> </span>So I watched the multiple parts being loaded
onto different vehicles as they made their way to <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">River Place</st1:country></st1:address></st1:street>.<span> </span>Now <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">River Place</st1:country></st1:address></st1:street> is not
the Merchandise Mart.<span> </span>It only has one
freight elevator. So the pieces of furniture and boxes were scattered in the
holding area of the dock (thank goodness for that.)<span> </span>The parts of the alcove bed were scattered
onto carts and four wheel movers, and small lintels and framing were placed in
a large paper crate called a speed pad on top of a four wheel dolly.<span> </span>I was literally having a heart attack!<span> </span>Fortunately it was a Saturday and no one
except my crew and the building security were about.<span> </span>Keeping the bed together was an impossible
task!<span> </span>I had to stop this obsession.<span> </span>I left it to divine intervention that the
parts would eventually find their way back together.</div>
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Fast forward a month and two weeks, when serious
re-organization took place.<span> </span>There was
finally floor space available to reconstruct the alcove bed.<span> </span>My identifications did work; my assistant
Arnuffo and I were able to gather most of the parts that were scattered in the
two warehouses, separated by two floors.<span>
</span>The construction began.<span> </span>Michael
has bad eyesight and Arnuffo does not read Chinese, so there was a problem just
lining up the parts whose positions were clearly marked in Chinese characters –
right front, middle, back, and so forth.<span>
</span>We began by putting two platforms together, on which there were joints
that held joists in place, and in turn held up the panels of the bed.<span> </span>After arguing which was left or right, we
started assembling the bed pieces.<span> </span>Then
we ran out of framing.<span> </span>Arnuffo went
searching in the other warehouse, looking for anything that had the same rich
mahogany lacquer finish.<span> </span>After several
attempts, he did find them, though not wrapped in blankets, and not
identified.<span> </span>They did belong, and fit in
where they ought to go.<span> </span>Arnuffo
ingenuity of figuring how the parts work was amazing, since assembling this bed
was a whole new experience.<span> </span>When
something was missing, he would search around and usually find what was needed.<span> </span>I felt so useless!<span> </span>After two hours, the bed was assembled, but
it was not complete, it needed finials and a few more decorative panels to
finish it off.<span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-gke4gYl28/UDf5uuV7DeI/AAAAAAAABDw/2V92AANqGRE/s1600/IMG_3429+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-gke4gYl28/UDf5uuV7DeI/AAAAAAAABDw/2V92AANqGRE/s320/IMG_3429+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took many trips to ensemble all the layers. The 4 characters signify "May Rank and Prosperity last Five Generations" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative frieze above the entry to the sleeping area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQe-9Kv6aSM/UDf3k5F9s4I/AAAAAAAABDY/kX-8Kk7CyTs/s1600/IMG_3426+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQe-9Kv6aSM/UDf3k5F9s4I/AAAAAAAABDY/kX-8Kk7CyTs/s320/IMG_3426+-+Copy.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started from the back. The little labels are identifications.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So the bed stood incomplete for a week.<span> </span>It took a mighty rainstorm to finish the
task, though not literally. The necessary accessories were found.<span> </span>It was the same rainstorm that shut down the
music festival Lollapalooza in Grant Park. While closing the windows to avoid a
minor flood caused by the pouring rain, I noticed there was an unmarked plastic
crate sitting on a table by the window.<span>
</span>It was not accessible before since there were quite a few pieces
blocking the way.<span> </span>There were the carved
finials and decorative panels, neatly nestled inside the crate.<span> </span>I took a deep breath, and did not complain
about wiping down rain soaked furniture and mopping up puddles of rain water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arnuffo came and placed the accessories on the alcove
bed.<span> </span>The assembly was done, and it looks
almost as grand as it once did in a grand mansion in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country>.<span> </span>I found miniature chairs and kang tables, and
placed them inside the bed and the alcove.<span>
</span>The bed fulfilled all my childhood make-believe play house. <span> </span>It is my hopes it will find soon find a home
as a bed or a wonderful place to play. </div>
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Thank you all for visiting the blog in my long absence.<span> </span>Since this writing, we have assembled yet another
bed, and have two more to go.<span> </span>Wish me
luck that the parts are all there!</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnIGPH05oJI/UDf7AFuZxaI/AAAAAAAABD4/bLLAF2B39Mo/s320/IMG_3441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For my playhouse, I added two miniature chairs, two kang tables, a rug and three masks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-1114649622488114322011-12-28T04:59:00.000-08:002011-12-28T14:17:18.623-08:00Liyuan Garden - a Successful Fusion of East and West<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2409898073603384785" name="OLE_LINK3">Success stories about Chinese immigrants
are often overshadowed by the ones of prejudice, violence and
discrimination. The latter was part of </a><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> history’s shameful past; as for the former, I would hesitate to name one, until my visit to Kaiping. But I do have a good story now, one that
relates to an edifice that withstood a world war and two devastating revolutions. It was built with the idea of gracious living executed in the most advance technology of its time. The houses and gardens are fine examples of the fusion of Eastern and Western style of architecture and design, to showcase the results of financial success abroad.</div>
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I stumbled into this amazing compound quite by accident on a
visit to my ancestral village in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kaiping</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Guangdong</st1:state></st1:place> Province. Previously when we shopped for antique
furniture, we never made time to visit to visit Kaiping which is only two hours
away. But in 2009, after a disappointing
shopping trip we found we had time to spare, so our friend Yin suggested that
it was high time that we take a ride to Kaiping to visit the village where my
ancestors had lived, to see the famous <i>Diaolou</i>
– fortified houses and to lunch at Liyuan, a UNESCO protected site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YARJbg97kss/TvuFlDef_JI/AAAAAAAABBY/LbEXZWpDbqg/s1600/P1090116+Li+Yuan+from+afar-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YARJbg97kss/TvuFlDef_JI/AAAAAAAABBY/LbEXZWpDbqg/s400/P1090116+Li+Yuan+from+afar-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first glimpse of Qiupan, the great house at Liyuan Garden</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magnificent Entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoNmEMLk_B0/TvsLE4JR9vI/AAAAAAAABA0/e-RMosKTMbA/s1600/P1090179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoNmEMLk_B0/TvsLE4JR9vI/AAAAAAAABA0/e-RMosKTMbA/s400/P1090179.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the garden looking at the elegant back </span></td></tr>
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Liyuan is the name of a garden. The story I am about to tell
began in the 1920’s when Xie Weili, a Chinese immigrant from Chicago who used
the fortune he and his family made in the herbal medicine business to build a
garden in his ancestral village in Kaiping, Guangdong Province. They had
envisioned a garden modeled after <i>Daguanyuan.</i>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Grandview</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Garden</st1:placetype></st1:place> from the famous 18 century novel <i>Honglou Meng</i> (Dream of the Red
Chamber.) The efforts took more than 10
years, and it must have been a successful.
But I was so taken by the main house named <i>Qiupan </i>I saw very little of everything
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The yellow washed three storey building with a roof top garden was built in what is
known as the “Oriental” style, a combination of the best features of eastern
and western architecture. What appears
to be a neo classical structure is topped with pagoda like green tiled roofs, and the
interior and exterior have architectural artifacts and furniture that were physically transported
from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> by way of steamships, river barges, rails and carried to the site by manual labor. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ornate plaster moldings lined an exterior alcove</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teco Tiles on the Ceiling, imported electrified Chandelier and Clock</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwWJuKxAjs/Tvr-Cycl9iI/AAAAAAAAA8M/3JHOUquoP0c/s1600/P1090148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwWJuKxAjs/Tvr-Cycl9iI/AAAAAAAAA8M/3JHOUquoP0c/s400/P1090148.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Wood panel walls, tiled fireplace and floor and Chinese style Child Minder</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td 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class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-WX0Va19a4/Tvr-s6ad3TI/AAAAAAAAA8k/J18jmqr0nmQ/s1600/P1090150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-WX0Va19a4/Tvr-s6ad3TI/AAAAAAAAA8k/J18jmqr0nmQ/s400/P1090150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marble handrails under vaulted tiled ceilings<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMdsNEsIzIE/Tvr-zw0a-xI/AAAAAAAAA8s/6tZGehxhcHY/s1600/P1090180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMdsNEsIzIE/Tvr-zw0a-xI/AAAAAAAAA8s/6tZGehxhcHY/s400/P1090180.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teco tiles on ceiling,Corinthian columns</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxm7Xj7TDw4/TvsAEG-yliI/AAAAAAAAA84/v-iLIOxW2j8/s1600/P1090143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxm7Xj7TDw4/TvsAEG-yliI/AAAAAAAAA84/v-iLIOxW2j8/s400/P1090143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Built-in Chinese style four burner stove on tile floor </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnHRdNcsAwk/TvsAJDW27GI/AAAAAAAAA9E/3eet4zx640g/s1600/P1090164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnHRdNcsAwk/TvsAJDW27GI/AAAAAAAAA9E/3eet4zx640g/s400/P1090164.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Built-in Western style sink with drain board</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xElIpFhu8l4/TvsAOTXm4mI/AAAAAAAAA9U/gdGTyqsL1t4/s1600/P1090165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xElIpFhu8l4/TvsAOTXm4mI/AAAAAAAAA9U/gdGTyqsL1t4/s400/P1090165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Imported bathtub</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAwyQAyMc8o/TvsBEZx9MpI/AAAAAAAAA9o/66zsOYxR12U/s1600/P1090144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAwyQAyMc8o/TvsBEZx9MpI/AAAAAAAAA9o/66zsOYxR12U/s400/P1090144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<o:p> The floor plan of the second and third floors is divided into living space, bedrooms, bath and kitchen. I love the multi Chinese style stove top with graduated size burners and the convenience of the sink with built in dish drain. Large water cisterns located on the top level provide running water for kitchen and bath. The bathrooms have bands of teco tiles in art deco design as accents.</o:p></div>
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<o:p> Few pieces of furniture are extant. This washstand could have been a Chinese version of a Shanghai style art deco piece.</o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSC3CXVY7z0/TvsFX2nGLAI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Q8qg3RMciBg/s1600/P1090160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSC3CXVY7z0/TvsFX2nGLAI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Q8qg3RMciBg/s400/P1090160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living space is decorated with 1920's Chinese rosewood furniture</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A suite of well made imported bedroom furniture is in one of the upstairs bedroom. Pieces of traditional Guangdong style black wood furniture filled the living space.The windows have heavy iron bars - a protection from bandits who targeted rich returnees like Xie.<br />
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<o:p>Another imported case piece stands next to a coat rack, under a transom window in a beautiful linear design.</o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall painting in Chinese themes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ornate wood panel in red, black and gold placed under Teco ceiling tiles</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Beautiful garden structures one would expect to find in the southern states. The verticulated transom windows are carved in stone. Everywhere the trees and bushes flourish. Spring time must be exceptional with blooming flowers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Diaoluo in my Ancestral Village</td></tr>
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This strive for luxury was overwhelming at the time when locals in the nearby villages still lived in the traditional one room brick houses with no running water. The Xie family had lived well, but unfortunately not for long. When the Japanese occupation took place in the north, Kaiping was no longer a safe place. In the early 1940's, Xie Weili left for Chicago with his family, never to return. <br />
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We left Liyuan for my ancestral village, which was just minutes away. There I found my first sighting of a a <i>diaoluo</i> or a fortified building. Buildings like this tall structure with small windows were built by immigrants who returned home with money earned abroad as laborers or businessmen. By the end of the 19 century, the political situation was in a chaos and the local government could not control the bandits and other unsavory characters from looting and thieving. The returned immigrants defended themselves in their fortified homes. Notice the small openings under the windows. Rifles were placed in these strategic areas to fend off attackers.<br />
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The story is not quite complete without ending it on a personal note. My grandfather Tse Ka Po was a member of the Tse Clan, the same Clan as Xie Weili, whose name is in <i>pinyin</i> romanization. I came to this village specially to see the Ancestral Halls - the two buildings in a row on the right of the last photograph. Their construction was financed by Great grandfather Tse Se Ping and other clansmen who found fame and fortune in Macau and Hong Kong. The Ancestral Halls have always been a place where the younger clan members received their education. During the Cultural Revolution, the two buildings were used as storage. Today they have been restored and once again serve as schools for the village children.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ancestral village with the two Ancestral Halls on the right next to the Diaoluo<br />
( photo credit to Anthony Tse)</td></tr>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-45617365144065129792011-09-05T03:32:00.000-07:002011-09-05T03:32:03.858-07:00Unfamiliar becomes Familiar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Portals never cease to fascinate - whether they are gateways, doors or cabinet openings. To me they represent invitations to adventures within, enticements to experience and new elements to explore. Every time I walk through a door, there is always an element of surprise, not knowing what awaits me on the other side. The same excitement occurs when I open a cabinet door, a treasure will I find?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the fall of 2005, I accepted an invitation from my brother to visit the <st1:placename w:st="on">Himalayan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bhutan</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We were a lively party of more than twenty and we visited temples and other places of interest. No one came away feeling more inspired than I. The unfamiliar architecture with the bright primary colors captured my attention and my need to be familiar with them led to my discovery of Tibetan cabinets that shine like jewels. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paro Rinpung Dzong (Temple Fortress)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raven over Gangtey Palace in Paro</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doorway at Changangkha Lhakhang at Thimphu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Building housing the Gangtey Palace Hotel Shop in Paro</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Main Building at Gangtey Palace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window at Changangkha Lhakhang</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altar Room at Private Residence Paro</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dongtse Lhakhang</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pOEs5lRiEI/TmSTWTir16I/AAAAAAAAA5M/JfZFx6tR5b4/s1600/Gantey+Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pOEs5lRiEI/TmSTWTir16I/AAAAAAAAA5M/JfZFx6tR5b4/s400/Gantey+Palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard at Gangtey Palace Hotel Paro with thanks to James Lee<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Upon my return to the States, I had an opportunity to purchase a collection of beautifully painted Tibetan cabinets. I know very little about them, except for the fact that they once adorned the interiors of temples or wealthy people's abode and they held treasures and religious articles of which they held dear. A selection now surround me in the environment where I work, and they contain within the wonderful memories of Bhutan where the country's goal is the pursuit of gross national happiness.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you for viewing.<br />
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</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-25346890955579217122011-08-11T13:59:00.000-07:002011-08-11T13:59:16.970-07:00Glimpses of Three Friends Studio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhTmDH1YlEk/TkQ2kOi4yrI/AAAAAAAAA2k/YjPaPj7y5Ic/s1600/P1140463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhTmDH1YlEk/TkQ2kOi4yrI/AAAAAAAAA2k/YjPaPj7y5Ic/s320/P1140463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I would like to thank all the viewers of this blog and as a token of my appreciate, I would like to share images of the environment where I do some of my writing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zddyufl7xto/TkQ42uGecAI/AAAAAAAAA2w/UO7tcoY9Boc/s1600/P1140470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zddyufl7xto/TkQ42uGecAI/AAAAAAAAA2w/UO7tcoY9Boc/s320/P1140470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnCJFrFtnww/TkRAY3YqzqI/AAAAAAAAA3I/i0MT3iJgKhk/s1600/P1140482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnCJFrFtnww/TkRAY3YqzqI/AAAAAAAAA3I/i0MT3iJgKhk/s320/P1140482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UiZBknWy9cE/TkRAfIMlVjI/AAAAAAAAA3M/VSTTJN3L1zk/s1600/P1140472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UiZBknWy9cE/TkRAfIMlVjI/AAAAAAAAA3M/VSTTJN3L1zk/s320/P1140472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k__oshb4tq4/TkRAjKwRtDI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Vqm8dZ95m2M/s1600/P1140477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k__oshb4tq4/TkRAjKwRtDI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Vqm8dZ95m2M/s320/P1140477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwlwnI1qvy0/TkRApLF7MUI/AAAAAAAAA3U/s4pZ5uYWkaY/s1600/P1130713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwlwnI1qvy0/TkRApLF7MUI/AAAAAAAAA3U/s4pZ5uYWkaY/s320/P1130713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8d2tqYwQQqA/TkQ4quvWLwI/AAAAAAAAA2s/CAPImUo4hHw/s1600/P1140464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8d2tqYwQQqA/TkQ4quvWLwI/AAAAAAAAA2s/CAPImUo4hHw/s320/P1140464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xxcpy1="133">Three Friends Studio is a treasure trove of antique Chinese furniture, architectural artifacts, antiques, antiquities and accessories. It is located at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. The collection is displayed over 4000 square feet, with ample space between objects for easier viewing. Recognize some of the furniture from previous blogs?</div><div closure_uid_xxcpy1="133"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xxcpy1="133">For more furniture and antiques, please visit <a closure_uid_xxcpy1="199" href="http://www.threefriendsstudio.net/">http:\\www.threefriendsstudio.net</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-34085647304045081432011-07-30T23:37:00.000-07:002011-08-01T09:50:16.979-07:00A STORY ABOUT CHAIRSMy Grandma never walked. I do not mean she was lame. As long as I could remember, she was always sitting in her chair, a beautiful Victorian period chair with expensive upholstery. When she had to go somewhere, she would travel by car or be carried by two strong coolies in a sedan chair. During my childhood in Hong Kong, my inquisitive nature often steered me to eavesdrop on adults’ private conversations, especially Grandma’s. I am a member of a large family spanning several generations. In those days we lived in a very close-knit community where virtually no one could do anything without scrutiny. Most of the bits of conversations, now forgotten, were idle gossips that involved relatives in the latest drama, which among this large assembly of family members, was a natural occurrence then as it is now. However, some poignant stories remain, especially those oblique remarks that I thought I understood but the meanings were beyond my youthful comprehension. These I have filed in the unused compartments of my brain, and there they stayed for decades, waiting for me to fully grasp the significance.<br />
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How then, does this relate to interior design? If you have the time, you will grant me the indulgence of telling you a story. A long time ago, Grandma, whose father built Komtong Hall (please refer to the blog dated January 2011) visited her favorite nephew and his bride living in "exile," away from their Hong Kong family from which they were estranged. The young people found themselves in this predicament because they had married against his parents’ wishes and he and his bride were unable to live in his former lifestyle. Grandma was appalled that her nephew was living in such austere conditions and he could not even offer her a chair because all he had for seating were stools. If you read on, you will find out why.<br />
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In Chinese culture, where you sit signifies who you are. Emperors and Empresses sat on thrones and carried on palanquins. Abbots and high officials sat on armchairs with yoke backs and resting their feet on foot stools. Chairs were designed for ladies with low backs and folding chairs were reserved for special guests. Here are some illustrations:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bWQ_TIgCbI/TjT4D5Is7aI/AAAAAAAAAyg/crG6jNAep_g/s1600/IMG_2543%2Bfolding%2Bchair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bWQ_TIgCbI/TjT4D5Is7aI/AAAAAAAAAyg/crG6jNAep_g/s200/IMG_2543%2Bfolding%2Bchair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" /></a></div>Folding chairs were very special chairs. In a wealthy home, the chair was reserved for an important visitor. Generals watched on going battles sitting on their folding chairs. This chair is embellished with good metalwork.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXmuNQyhaXY/TjT4EP5G0zI/AAAAAAAAAyo/uDoIlZQorbQ/s1600/P1120133%2BSouthern%2BOfficial%2BChair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXmuNQyhaXY/TjT4EP5G0zI/AAAAAAAAAyo/uDoIlZQorbQ/s200/P1120133%2BSouthern%2BOfficial%2BChair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" /></a></div>The chair is named Southern Official Chair because it was the intended seat for an official. Sumptuary Laws in China dictated that non officials could not own such a chair - a law that might be difficult to carry out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRcc20ox5NY/TjT4EtUVzxI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Qrz7MhPsFLA/s1600/P1110647%2BMing%2Bchair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRcc20ox5NY/TjT4EtUVzxI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Qrz7MhPsFLA/s200/P1110647%2BMing%2Bchair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" /></a></div>Rose chairs are intended for the lady's chambers. This six sided chair is made in imitation of bamboo chairs. I often wonder why the Chinese would go through the trouble of making wood chairs using the same joinery? Is it because chairs made of wood are more permanent than bamboo chairs?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XjTR09imqu4/TjT4E2SWNNI/AAAAAAAAAy4/EqEWivQyjSo/s1600/IMG_5794w%2BMoon%2BGazing%2BChair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="178" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XjTR09imqu4/TjT4E2SWNNI/AAAAAAAAAy4/EqEWivQyjSo/s200/IMG_5794w%2BMoon%2BGazing%2BChair%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Moon gazing chairs are very popular recliners.<br />
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In reference to the story about my Grandmother and her innuendo about the stools, I have always taken it on face value until it dawned on me that Grandmother’s comment about the absence of chairs in her nephew’s home carried a double meaning. In truth, was she commenting her nephew’s lost of face and social standing? Not owning chairs reduced one’s status to just higher than the working poor who found squatting a comfortable way of relaxation. On the other hand, was Grandmother lamenting that she also lost face by sitting on a common stool? I will never know. This story has a good ending. The young couple raised a large family. Their sons inherited a huge fortune and they are known for their philanthropy.<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-45371671831174489172011-06-02T21:15:00.000-07:002011-06-02T21:25:31.265-07:00A Stunning Metamorphosis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcWM_oDJteA/TehVtv6XZ7I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/kluGEcAL69U/s1600/before+%2526+after+aigotti+chest%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcWM_oDJteA/TehVtv6XZ7I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/kluGEcAL69U/s320/before+%2526+after+aigotti+chest%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMargaret%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><o:smarttagtype name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the antiques trade, dealers fall into this profession not entirely by choice, but mostly by circumstances. However, they stay because they like to shop and buy. I am no exception, though I prefer to think I am a rescuer of objects. When Michael and I go furniture hunting in the antique furniture market in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I frequently would see a quality piece standing alone among its inferiors. Sometimes a Chinese idiom loses its punch in translation, but this one that relates to plucking a flower growing among cow dung is pretty straightforward. During one of our trips, I found this well constructed elm cabinet. It caught my eye standing in the back of a dark and dusty shop. Dirt and dust covered the beautiful graining of the fine furniture wood. It was appealing because of its clean lines and square corners and a plain apron without ornamentation. This simplicity of form is a classic style of the Ming Dynasty (CE1368-1644.) The top portion of the cabinet is accessible through the pair of doors, and the only access the to the lower portion is through a hidden inside panel. This was the acceptable usage of the cabinet and it served a dual purpose – seasonal changes of clothing were rotated between the top and bottom which also stored the family’s valuable possessions. However, the last owner had reconfigured the cabinet by adding drawers and opening the closed bottom section with a pair of doors. The alteration allowed easy access but it also affected the antique quality. So it was banished to the back and judging from the layers of dirt, for a good long while until we recognized its useful qualities. Its simplicity of form blends well with contemporary furnishing.<o:p></o:p> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As the focal point of a room, a single piece of Chinese furniture does well. However, size, shape and finish do matter, so the elm cabinet stood waiting in our warehouse until Sarah van Assche of Sarah van Assche Interiors found it useful in one of her projects. She needed a large, well made piece of furniture with good storage for a sophisticated lady with young children. Sarah has vast experiences incorporating antique Chinese furniture in her designs and she saw beyond the cabinet and visualized its transformation into something of beauty that would be compatible in a contemporary setting. A new blue grey slightly distressed finish, new hinges and hardware completed its metamorphosis. When I saw a photograph of the cabinet in its new abode, I was totally stunned!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.svainteriors.com/"></a>www.svainteriors.com</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Sarah Van Assche Interiors - Tranquil Harbor Country Master Suite</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-81340585952404722792011-05-19T02:22:00.000-07:002011-05-22T12:25:29.330-07:00Ivory Conundrum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKa68nJfbpk/TdTdfdmqSSI/AAAAAAAAAlM/fmxkC-pAn4Q/s1600/768000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKa68nJfbpk/TdTdfdmqSSI/AAAAAAAAAlM/fmxkC-pAn4Q/s320/768000.jpg" width="148px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I would like to begin by thanking every viewer for visiting my blog and to apologize for the long absence. There are many interesting ideas, but the one that I need to express is a recent conundrum I had with ivory. Ivory carving was an art form perfected by the Chinese and later by Japanese artists/craftsmen in the 18 and 19 century respectively. In the early days, elephant tusks were found in piles, and elephants were not killed for their tusks. No one carves new ivory today, but lately there is a resurgence in the art market for old ivory objects d’art, such as this 10 inch tall vase from the eighteen century Qing Dynasty illustrated here. It was sold at the March 2011 Asian Arts Auction at Freeman's in Philadelphia.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Recently I was an exhibitor at the International Antiques Fair at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. An acquaintance from Mainland <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">China</country-region></place> named Lan whom I met a few months before asked if I could help her out. She needed some advice on buying ivory. I do not sell ivory but I do have some knowledge by being on the antique show circuit and ivory was an important craft in <place w:st="on">Hong Kong</place> where I grew up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Lan led me to a fabulous display of antique ivory objects in a space belonging to an important dealer of high end art objects. There were both Chinese and Japanese ivory carvings and they ranged from artistic pieces to ones that were exquisitely carved but made for the export market. She asked very basic questions – were these real ivories, were they old and why were they in different colors? Immediately I knew Lan had no notions about ivory but she was on a dangerous mission to buy some for her brother who lives in <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">China</country-region></place>. I stress on the word dangerous – it is so easy to make mistakes when one buys antiques. The rule in the antiques business is you either trust the dealer or yourself. In Lan’s case, she did not know the dealer and she was treading into territories without prior knowledge. She was counting on me, and putting me on the spot where my advice could either cost the dealer a good sale, or Lan a bad investment.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I realized Lan did not have my advantages. I, the ever inquisitive child who dawdled in front of ivory shop windows in Central (downtown <place w:st="on">Hong Kong</place>) at least once a week and memorized every design I had seen from figurines to ivory balls with movable centers. Conversely, I was also privileged to learn early on that ivory in private collections bore no resemblance to the commercially produced carvings for the tourist trade. Art objects made of ivory were unique designs of beauty in form and execution. It could be a large elephant tusk where every centimeter was covered with exquisite carving to something as small as a seed on which poetic inscriptions were not visible to the naked eye. So how could I transmit this accumulated knowledge of a lifetime in a few sentences with a language problem to boot? My ability to speak Putonghua was even more challenged than Lan’s English comprehension. Somehow I managed to convey to her that as a fellow dealer in the show, I should not influence her buying, the decision had to be hers. Secondly, I could tell her about the pieces that she was interested in, why some pieces cost more than others and which were the ones worthy of collecting. Thirdly, I could advise her to tell her brother as a new collector, he should get the most for his money, and in this case, it would be exquisite carving on a piece with good size. Then I walked away, leaving Lan to do her own negotiations.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Later on I was relieved to find out that Lan did make a purchase. She was as eager to buy as the dealer was anxious to sell. She selected a good pair of 19 century ivory vases that were made for the export market. In the following day, ivory objects sold for astronomical prices at Leslie Hindman's Asian Arts auction. Lan did very well indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Postscript </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">The idea behind this piece is not to promote nor condone the sale of artistic ivory objects. I just wish to make a point that sometimes art dealers are put "on the spot" and that was the exact case. I like to think I am a "good" dealer and I have my own ethics. I do not wish to misguide a novice collector nor do I wish a fellow dealer to lose a sale. Fortunately it all turned out well for all concerned.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-30995905790889244232011-02-22T02:34:00.000-08:002011-06-01T15:21:38.781-07:00Finding old Shanxi Furniture<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sometimes the feelings of exhilaration resulting from a great purchase are not consciously felt until years later. The realization came when I reflected on a 17 century cabinet decorated with lively dragon designs. It is one of many pieces that we bought on that particular day many years ago. My husband Michael and I were shopping at an antique furniture market in Zhongshan, near <city w:st="on">Guangzhou</city> (<city w:st="on">Canton</city>) with our agent Leong who brought us to a shop ran by two brothers from <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Shanxi</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Province</placetype></place>. <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Shanxi</place></state> is located in North Central China, a province that is part of the cradle of Chinese civilization. By the Ming Dynasty (CE 1368 to 1644) it was the land of stately homes belonging to rich merchants and bankers who furnished their living interiors with the best furniture Chinese craftsmen could offer. <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Shanxi</state></place> furniture is desirable because varieties of high quality wood for furniture were available – northern elm, walnut, locust, oak, laurel and cedar. We looked around and did not see anything worth buying. The shopkeeper noticed our disappointment and told Leong that his brother had gone shopping back home and was due back later in the day with some great finds and would we come back after lunch.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Lunch in <place w:st="on">South China</place> is as important as dinner. Cantonese live to eat, and as the saying goes, they will eat anything that has four legs except a table. Leong would order more food than we could possibly eat and anything less would be considered losing face. And I, saving face, would try to swallow morsels of the exotic delicacies he offered. Fortunately for me, luncheon that day was a simple fare. The anticipation of new merchandise made all of us too excited to eat. Michael too, was busy giving me admonitions that I should keep a poker face; any excitement would cost him extra. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We found a small crowd waiting outside when we returned to the shop. The men were chain smoking while waiting. Then we saw a cloud of dust following a small convoy of open back trucks (called Lorries) laden with furniture tied down to the frames. The drivers stopped, jumped out of the cabs and started unloading. It was hardly what I expected; cabinets were taken apart and tied in bundles, chairs and small tables the same way. This is possible because all Chinese furniture is held together with joinery without using nails, and each piece can be taken apart and easily put back together. One must have the expertise to visualize what the end result would be.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Babel</place></city> erupted among the crowd. Furniture dealers communicated in their local dialects. Cantonese, Putonghua, Fukinese, and dialects that were new to me. Leong brought our attention to a few choice pieces. Michael nodded his approval and he marked them with our name. Then a bidding war started. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yuan</i> was weak and the US dollar strong. Needless to brag who came out with the best pieces; the local dealers were not pleased.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Alas, the thrills of shopping for antique furniture are all but over. Since 2009, <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">China</country-region></place> has imposed a ban on exportation of anything older than 1920’s, and that pretty much means everything good. The strong Chinese economy signals the tables have turned. We cannot go back and buy as we did. Savoring the euphoria we felt that day, we realize that opportunity would never come again. Nevertheless, we did well. After heavy cleaning and light restoration, those bundled pieces of wood became these fabulous pieces. <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Shanxi</place></state> furniture exemplifies the finest features of Chinese vernacular furniture – fine quality wood and craftsmanship. With a little imagination, each of these pieces can be the focal point of a room. <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Shanxi</place></state> furniture is well known among collectors but has not been properly introduced to the general audience. It is a worthy topic for further discussion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">17 Century Walnut Cabinet with Dragon Designs<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3NeGpr5KXM/TWOL7KAzipI/AAAAAAAAAkI/RM7__6k3gkw/s1600/P1060269+Walnut+with+dragons+4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3NeGpr5KXM/TWOL7KAzipI/AAAAAAAAAkI/RM7__6k3gkw/s320/P1060269+Walnut+with+dragons+4x6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">17 Century Lacquered Cabinet<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zTymUU-LT0/TWOMD-7s4PI/AAAAAAAAAkU/gz-3Ic4bq38/s1600/IMG_4866+lge+brn+Shanxi+cab+blog+4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zTymUU-LT0/TWOMD-7s4PI/AAAAAAAAAkU/gz-3Ic4bq38/s320/IMG_4866+lge+brn+Shanxi+cab+blog+4x6.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9vN50zTNXQ/TWOMJUdch3I/AAAAAAAAAkc/c5bTR3E32SA/s1600/Table+with+high+relief+carving+4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9vN50zTNXQ/TWOMJUdch3I/AAAAAAAAAkc/c5bTR3E32SA/s320/Table+with+high+relief+carving+4x6.jpg" width="320" /></a>18 Century Altar Table</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">18 Century Painted Cabinet<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTA00PlHjk4/TWOL9ztNoQI/AAAAAAAAAkM/NwKsYwIdaR4/s1600/IMG_4878+lge+blk+ptd+cab+4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTA00PlHjk4/TWOL9ztNoQI/AAAAAAAAAkM/NwKsYwIdaR4/s320/IMG_4878+lge+blk+ptd+cab+4x6.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-24668529011556549312011-01-28T21:01:00.000-08:002011-01-28T21:01:29.881-08:00Sentimentality versus Practicality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDqOV5ydkNg/TUHFe8LZvEI/AAAAAAAAAjE/5NMYuZNRnzo/s1600/IMG_4658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDqOV5ydkNg/TUHFe8LZvEI/AAAAAAAAAjE/5NMYuZNRnzo/s320/IMG_4658.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When a piece of furniture captures my attention, the motivation to buy is not always pecuniary. Sometimes I confess I was driven by sentimentality. The purchase soothes my heart and soul, but in my inventory it indefinitely dwells. One such piece is the handsome black lacquer curio cabinet pictured here. Made of cedar or a similar wood, the surfaces were coated with black lacquer. Unusual breaks from the traditional symmetry, shelves in the top section are staggered in different levels for interesting display of curios and antiques. The multiple drawers are perfect for holding small objects like jades and seals. More antiques can be stored in the lower section for occasional rotation. The black background and the uneven spacing provide an ambiance for the pieces of antiques and enhance their value. So why did I buy it? In another time and place, a curio cabinet like this was forever etched in my memory, displaying objects of art that were not to be forgotten.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The last time I saw it was a sneaked peek into my great-grandfather’s Curio Room in his stately home in <span id="lw_1296150946_2"><place _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on"><span class="yshortcuts">Hong Kong</span></place>. Great-grandfather Ho Kom-tong made his fortune in successful business dealings. But he was best remembered as a man with a wife, eleven concubines and twenty seven children - a local record that has yet to be surpassed. A reputation like this obviously overshadows his fame as a collector of antiques and curios. His house Kom Tong Hall, built in 1914 in a classic revival style, boasted of a walk-in safe, a place to keep his extra antiques as he rotated his collection. His European antiques were on display in the <span id="lw_1296150946_3"><span class="yshortcuts">drawing room</span></span> named the French Parlour, so named because of the white and gold architectural features that included ionic columns and gilded ceilings with <span id="lw_1296150946_4"><span class="yshortcuts">crown mouldings</span></span> and furnished with <span id="lw_1296150946_5"><span class="yshortcuts">French provincial furniture</span></span>. His Chinese antiques were exhibited in glass vitrines in his living room upstairs, filled with Guangdong black wood furniture that were ornamented with designs made from mother-of-pearl. The rare and valuable pieces of the collection were kept in the Curio Room where Great-grandfather would entertain his fellow collectors and visiting dignitaries by showing his latest acquisitions of archaic jades or painted porcelains. Children were forbidden to enter the room. On one occasion when I, a small child of no more than six, found the door ajar and stole a glance, before my nanny shooed me away, her main charge was to make sure I would not misbehave. The moment was short in sight but long in remembrance - an unforgettable memory of beautiful objects on display in his curio cabinet. As time progressed and my interest in Chinese art grew, these objects acquired names – the square tube became an archaic jade cong, the lady in white was a blanc de chine Guanyin, and the pretty vases were Qing Dynasty painted porcelains.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The art collection survived <span id="lw_1296150946_6"><span class="yshortcuts">World War II</span> and was noted as being one of the best private collections in <place _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on">Southeast Asia</place>. A museum in <country-region _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on">Australia</country-region> offered to buy 400 of the best pieces but Great-grandfather was ill advised to send the collection to <state _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on"><place _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on">New York</place></state> for auctions. And that was that. No one knew what happened to the objects or the monies from the purported sales. Upon his passing, family members retained some pieces and the remainder sold. </span> Even until twenty years ago, unscrupulous dealers on antique row in Hollywood Road and Cats Street would surreptitiously embellish the salability of an antique by giving it a false Ho Kom-tong provenance.<span id="lw_1296150946_7"><street _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on"></street> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Kom Tong Hall was preserved as a historic building by the Hong Kong Government. After extensive renovations, it opened in December 2006 as the Dr. SunYat-sen Museum, to commemorate the founder of the <place _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on"><placename _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on">Chinese</placename> <placetype _moz-userdefined="" w:st="on">Republic</placetype></place>. I make it a ritual to visit whenever I am in Hong Kong. The Curio Room is no longer forbidden, it is now part of the exhibition space.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For views of Komtong Hall please watch this video by frl:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlOIg-fGY6w" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span id="lw_1296150946_8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlOIg-fGY6w</span></span></span></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-24825071463842698672011-01-01T03:57:00.000-08:002011-01-01T03:57:59.148-08:00Beautiful and Mysterious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDqOV5ydkNg/TR8UrG06aJI/AAAAAAAAAjA/9EJQhrFoenw/s1600/Painted+Coffer+from+Ryukyu+Islands+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDqOV5ydkNg/TR8UrG06aJI/AAAAAAAAAjA/9EJQhrFoenw/s640/Painted+Coffer+from+Ryukyu+Islands+.jpg" width="640" /></a> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="font-size: x-small;">LARGE PAINTED LACQUER COFFER</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: x-small;">18<sup>th</sup> Century</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span><span style="font-size: x-small;">76” x 22” x 37”H</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span>One of the great joys in the Chinese antique furniture business is finding a piece that is a real puzzler. Michael, my husband and business partner, purchased it in a furniture market in <place w:st="on">Southern China</place> a number of years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This particular coffer has an unusual trapezoid shape that is unfamiliar in Chinese furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its black lacquered surface is decorated with groups of bird and flower painting with beautiful rendering of brush work in pastel tones that seem to have a luminous quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still life studies of flowers and fruits are grouped with antique objects and they all share the auspicious symbol of wealth and prosperity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The style of the painting is neither Chinese nor Japanese. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The still life grouping of objects is more often seen on painted Korean screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole presentation of the coffer shows a painted art object that is formal, well organized, and beautifully rendered, but they do not share the mannerisms that are associated with Chinese, Japanese nor Koreans. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What then, are the elements that so persuasive? Take the birds on the flowering branches for instance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a subject matter found in all three cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I look at them and think European Botanical Print?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My formal training in the history of Chinese and Japanese painting led me to the deduction that the entire schematic structure, despite its beauty, does not adhere to the Chinese painting tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, it harks of elegance and refinement that are associated with Japanese painting, but the composition is too complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When in doubt, I try the third alternative – Korean, but none of the elements applied here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span>So the coffer with the trapezoid shape continued to delude us until we happened upon a similar piece in my cousin’s apartment in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">New York City</place></city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her coffer was in the same style and shape as ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the information which was based on the research of a well esteemed Chinese art historian, these painted coffers were specially made in the Ryuku Islands for a rich Chinese merchant who imported them to the Peking (Beijing) market in the 18 century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know about the <placename w:st="on">Ryuku</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Islands</placetype> by way of <place w:st="on">Okinawa</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an island chain that extends from the southern Japanese <placetype w:st="on">island</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Kyushu</placename> to the northern tip of <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Taiwan</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In ancient times, it was an independent kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Chinese and Japanese fought over its sovereignty from the 14 to the 19 century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under Japanese sovereignty, many Koreans came to work on the islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They brought with them their artistic tradition and technique that were neither Chinese nor Japanese but had a unique quality all their own. By the 18 century, European bird and flower painting would have arrived in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Japan</place></country-region> in the form of botanical prints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could it be plausible that the Ryuku artists learned the western technique and applied them here? That would offer an explanation why the unusual rendering of the birds and flowers deviate so far from Asian traditions, yet the cumulative effect is a reflection of the art of all three cultures.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span>The knowledge places the coffer in a different perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have learned that this was a special import, therefore highly treasured; that it was rare, for few were made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long ago it graced the environment of a wealthy home, and now in a formal room, it can resume its importance as a focal point once more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-22634271431486614102010-12-16T12:32:00.000-08:002010-12-18T19:21:31.530-08:00ASYMMETRY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDqOV5ydkNg/TQp2Bdcl5mI/AAAAAAAAAis/mL05gr0DE1w/s1600/Robert%2527s+living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDqOV5ydkNg/TQp2Bdcl5mI/AAAAAAAAAis/mL05gr0DE1w/s320/Robert%2527s+living+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">My friend Robert came to my showroom at the Chicago Merchandise Mart one day looking for a piece of furniture to be used as cocktail table. It is a well known fact that cocktail or coffee table does not appear in the vocabulary of Chinese furniture. Robert was quite aware of that and was willing to look for something that would work within his decorating requirements.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Very early on, we decided that we would rule out a square table. That was unfortunate because there seemed to be quite a few square tables. A square table is a very versatile in a Chinese home. Generally known by the name Eight Immortal Table (for reason still unknown,) it is commonly used as an eating table, or an offering table in a temple or shrine, or in a scholar studio or shop. Most homes in the 19 century did not have wood flooring; the feet were affected by wood rot. For resale purposes, these square tables were cut down to cocktail table sizes. The next choice would be pairs of square or rectangular stools which come in a range of material and style, depending on where they came from. Stools from Shanxi Province in North Central China are made of semi-hardwood, and they still retain the same form as their Ming Dynasty (CE 1368 – 1644) counterparts. The style is simple but sturdy, perhaps a little heavy looking. The stools from Zhejiang are lighter in appearance. Made of softer woods, they appear to be sophisticated in form, and often enhanced with carved designs. In addition, there are many variations of wood stools, from sophisticated designs made of highly priced hardwoods like huanghuali (yellow pear flower wood,) hongmu (a reddish color wood similar to rosewood.) to cedar or pine country stools. The third, though an unlikely choice, is the <i>kang </i>table. The <i>kang</i> table is seldom found in warm areas, though it is a staple in Northern China. It is used primarily on the <i>kang</i>, a heated brick platform in a home where the family sleep, eat and while away the long winter hours. Like the wood stool, the <i>kang </i>table comes in a variety of woods and styles. I have a personal fixation with small furniture and in my buying trips to China, I seldom walked away from this type of tables. However, I do not have many, for bonsai enthusiasts use them to display their prized collection.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you like Robert's choice? Personally I was astounded by his selection. The confidence in his knowledge of interior design soon calmed my apprehension that all things should be symmetrical, a convention that is deeply rooted in my Chinese nature. Take a look at the image – he has chosen a square stool with woven bamboo mat top and a long <i>kang</i> table in matching colors. Although the two pieces are of unequal height, they work together and integrate very well in this magnificent room. Do you like Robert's choice? Please tell me what you think?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2409898073603384785.post-82508662428139314292010-11-21T02:19:00.000-08:002010-11-22T16:29:20.568-08:00Chinese Accessories in Short Supply<div class="MsoNormal">On a shopping trip to my favorite haunts in Southern China two years ago, this ominous thought came to me as I perused through the merchandise offered by the local “premier” shop that specialized in antique accessories. This shop purportedly combed the local markets near and far for fresh merchandise that came from the provinces. They were known to be a magnet for pickers – small time dealers who collect goods in their own locale. What I saw were merchandise I had bought and sold from ten years back; mostly I noticed what I rejected in previous years were still standing on the shelves. These were not finely made painted porcelains, glass or enamel works of art, nor were they exquisite wood carvings that one expects from the glossy pages of a Chinese works of art auction catalog. The shop was selling simple everyday objects from Chinese vernacular culture of the last 100 years, refurbished for the marketplace. Rows upon rows were red lacquer rice containers, tiered baskets of woven bamboo, vegetable baskets of woven reed and wheat stalks, tiered bamboo baskets, paper mache boxes, cake molds, and other utilitarian wares. Our policy is only buy quality. Anything outstanding had “higher than sky price,” a very appropriate Chinese description I thought. As a result, we bought very little.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what of my ominous thought – it dawned on me that the supplies of good antique Chinese accessories would come to an end. For years, container loads of Chinese vernacular furnishings left China for the United States and Europe, only to be replaced with inferior reproductions. It stood to reason that after the reign of Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736-1795) Chinese works of art went on a decline. With natural disasters, famines, peasant rebellions, bandits raiding the countryside, invasions by foreign powers, the opium wars, the society in China was in an upheaval. Under these dire circumstances, how could one think of possessing fine material goods? Artists and craftsmen could not continue without patronage. Unlike Europe, China did not go through an Industrial Revolution which gave rise to a nouveau riche class of industrialists who filled their homes with opulent furnishings. Instead, the people of China had to endure two revolutions that took place between World War I and II. The Cultural Revolution that followed further depleted the remaining material goods. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The word musing means contemplation and this musing is my attempt to explain the lack of quality and quantity in the range of goods one perceives to be Chinese antique or vintage accessories. Any comment is appreciated</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.threefriendsstudio.net</div>Margaret Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018111968087913651noreply@blogger.com0