Asia Africa Pacific Decorative Arts
Chinese Decorative Arts
Chinese history spans over 4500 years
and creativity encompasses a wide range of materials and expression including Chinese
ceramics and porcelain, textiles, jade, bronze, calligraphy, lacquers, cloisonné,
Imperial furniture. The Chinese had an early history of collecting from other
civilizations and had antique dealers as early as the seventh century. The
finest ceramic pieces were produced by the Imperial kilns and the best art by
Imperial workshops. The imperial porcelain factory at Jingdezhen was established
during the fifteenth century. Pieces made for an emperor would be inscribed with
an Imperial seal or reign mark. Chinese decorative arts have been collected and
imitated by most major civilizations. Entire museums and books are
dedicated to preserving and cataloging and displaying it.
Auspicious Decorative Symbols
Auspicious symbols and homonyms were often
incorporated in the decorative motifs of glazed porcelain. These pieces were
often given as gifts for birthday or New Year's celebrations.
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Peach-longevity or immortality
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Bats-good fortune especially red which wards off
demons
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Five bats (wu fu)-5 happinesses:
longevity, wealth, health, virtue, natural death
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Dragon with 5 claws-emperor; 3 or 4 claws were
used as court gifts to attendants or foreign dignitaries
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Phoenix-empress
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Pine, Plum, Bamboo (Three Friends of
Winter)-longevity, perseverance, integrity
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Paired quails-peace and prosperity
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Pomegranate-wish for children
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Apple (ping) homonym for peace
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Koi are symbols of courage, grace and perseverance according
to a 3rd century Chinese book. Koi were introduced to Japan from China in
the 1800's.
Textiles
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Batiks are made using a wax-resistant dye
technique developed in Java. The fabric is painted with melted wax and dipped in
dye. The waxed areas resist the dye so that when the wax is removed with heat
the design is revealed. The resulting fabric has a casual, Eastern feel that
works well with bamboo and rattan furniture.
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Brocade: fabric with a raised pattern usually
woven into silk. Probably first developed in China. Persian (Iranian)
traditional brocades are made with gold and silver threads. Textiles were
originally hand embroidered and the province of royalty reaching peak popularity
during the 16th and 17th centuries. They are now usually machine embroidered.
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Chintz: Cotton fabric originating in India in the
1600's. Although the word comes from Hindi "chint" meaning spotted, it usually
now has a floral design and glazed.
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Damask: Woven fabric usually with a matte pattern
on shiny background created by using the same color in different weaves. The
name comes from Damascus, Syria, where the fabric originates.
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Folk textiles: indigo and white fabrics made in
preindustrial Japan for the general population who were prohibited from using
the vibrant colors of the upper classes.
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Ikat (ee-kaht) is an ancient fabric usually
associate with sarongs worn by Balinese royalty. Patterns of flowers, birds,
stripes, etc., are produced by weaving tie-dyed silk or cotton threads. This
technique is believed to have been separately developed by Japan, Argentina
and India.
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Muslin: Cotton fabric originally made in Mosul,
Iraq. It is lightweight and is often used for slipcovers.
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Paisley: Fabric with colorful, swirling designs
first made in northern India and based on the tree of life design. The name
comes from Scotland where the designs were used to make paisleys, or shawls.
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Palampores: hand-painted panels with the tree of
life motif from India. The patterns are very large and usually seen in wall
hangings, spreads or bedspreads.
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Satin: woven fabric with a smooth, glossy side
that reverses to dull, usually in silk, developed in China.
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Taffeta: a luxurious, stiff fabric made by
weaving yarn alternatively over and under each warp yarn the entire length of
the fabric.
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