Textiles from the Ch'ing Dynasty 1744-1908

Alexander's Fine Arts Gallery presents "Fifty Years of Collecting", the private Chinese and Japanese textile collection from the Ch'ing Dynasty of Milt and Lorraine Clark that began in 1994 when Milt Clark was stationed in Peking, China. For the first time anywhere, individual pieces from this collection are for sale.

During Mr. Clark's assignment to Peking in 1944 he was introduced to Mr. Dong, curator of the Peking Museum. Mr. Dong became his mentor and under his tutelage, Clark learned the art of collecting fine antique Chinese and Japanese textiles. Mr. Dong opened a new world of knowledge to Milt Clark which included a visit to the Forbidden City in Peking, with its 800 buildings and 9000 rooms.

The beauty and detail of oriental textiles, whether an oriental robe, hanging embroidery or simply a fragment from a garment is readily apparent. The skill of the Chinese in producing textiles is proverbial. Spindle whorls dating from the 5th millennium B.C. (Panpo Village) have been discovered in China. With the discovery of silk came a method for dying the fiber; and embroidery was born. Imperial garments, hanging panels, and altar covers are embroidered, and varied according to social status, and function. Depending on who wore the garment and what they were used for, the fabric, color and design were greatly diversified. The dragon, the symbol of imperial power, the peach, the fruit of immortality, or the tiger, the image representing power and strength all are just a few of the re-current themes.

This outstanding collection features a showing of the Eight Immortals, individual figures of silk and real hair dating from the late 1800's. Anyone interested in Orientalia has heard about the Eight Immortals. They were supposed to be Taoist immortals and the chance to collect all eight is a rare opportunity.

All the following textiles and artifacts are for sale.

References available upon request.

Publications
Asian Art, John D. Laplante
Chinese Art II, R. Soame Jenyns and William Watoon
Oriental Antiques, Arthur and Grace Chu
Oriental Antiques and Art, Sandra Andacht

Celedon Color Silk Pillow: 28"L x 13" W with satin silk stitchery, embroidery of flowers. Center design a pair of lions in gold thread and satin stitch, complete with two ornate silk thread tassels in bright rose and gold. 1890-1900 Excellent condition $2,800.00

Silk Shawl: 66" x 64" Peking silk shawl, overall embroidery with royal pheasant, flowers, butterflies and bats in shades of mauve, lavender and magenta. A very deep hand-knotted 14" fringe of ecru. Late Ch'ing Dynasty. Excellent condition $3,900.00

Silk Wall Hanging: 48"x48" pale celedon silk, elaborate embroidery with 5-toe dragon and chain motif, fret work border, deep hand knotted 7" fringe. Early 1800's. Excellent condition. $4,800.00

Silk Panel: 25"w x 30"l. Edge of panel in Canton blue stitchery, with black ribbon edge, then imperial yellow insert brocade, with boxed in blue embroidery, center panel fine Peking knot stitchery of peonies, butterflies, flowers, embellished with gold thread. Made for cultured lady. 1800's. Excellent condition $4,950.00

Altar Table Cover, Temple: Woven metallic gold thread with gold color and black inserts. 1800.s. Fine condition $3,400.00

Quilted Silk Garment Bag: Red silk with embroidery, silk cording along edge in saddle bag shape. Late 1800's. Fine condition $550.00

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