Question:
Hi,
I am new to the forum, I'm glad I found you. I'm currently working on an estate sale with quite a few textile items. One of the items is an extraordinary ancient Chinese silk scroll painting. It has one seal, it's 8' long and 17" wide. The scroll has 100 butterflies hand painted on it. I have been doing some research but I haven't found a expert to help me with exact age and information on the seal. From what I have read I estamate that it's from the Southern Song Period, 1127-1279 A.D, or perhaps as late as the Yuan empire period, 1279-1368 A.D. I have placed a web gallery up with images of the scroll. If your interested in seeing it please go to...
100 Butterflies, Chinese Silk Scroll
I'm not looking for an appraisal I just wanted some opinions and a chance to show what can be found when digging through estate attic boxes.
Thanks, Spinner (Dan)
Answer:
Hi,
I'm not a regular on this board, but I'm very attracted to oriental art. Around here (N. Alabama) they price estates up to the stratosphere, so its doubtful I'd ever find a diamond in the rough, but I can be happy that you did.
Victoria
Answer:
Hi Dan,
Welcome to here.
Wow! That thing is GORGEOUS!
But it looks pretty fragile. Is it scarey to handle?
Do you know anything about butterfly symbolism or what are painted in between the butterflies and leaves? Or why a piece like this might have been made?
I have a friend who studied classical Chinese painting when she lived there for several years, but I know very little about it.
Is there a signature? Or did I just miss it in your photos?
Anyhow, WOW! Thanks for sharing!
And come back often!
Elaine
Answer:
Originally Posted by goodworks1 Welcome to here. Thanks for the welcome!
Originally Posted by goodworks1 Wow! That thing is GORGEOUS!
But it looks pretty fragile. Is it scarey to handle? I have only taken it out of the box twice, once when I discovered it and once to take the photos. The next time it comes out of the box will be when it's in the hands of a museum curator. It's very delicate, very old silk. I can just imagine myself tearing it in half in and the value dropping by thousands of dollars!
Originally Posted by goodworks1 Do you know anything about butterfly symbolism or what are painted in between the butterflies and leaves? Or why a piece like this might have been made? Apparently in Zen Buddhism there is a story of the 100 butterflies symbolizing birth and rebirth. The scrolls are read from left to right and usually tell some story. In the center is a Peony flower. Some of the leaves are citrus leaves.
Originally Posted by goodworks1 I have a friend who studied classical Chinese painting when she lived there for several years, but I know very little about it.
Is there a signature? Or did I just miss it in your photos? If you friend looks at it and can tell me more I would be very appreciative.
There is one seal in the lower left hand corner. It is more than likely it is the seal/signature of the artist.
Originally Posted by goodworks1 Anyhow, WOW! Thanks for sharing!
And come back often!
Elaine Thanks Elaine, I come across so many wonderful textiles and I'm anxious to share and learn more. The Estate sale I'm conducting begins tomorrow AM, we have quite a few Victorian clothes and some fun vintage stuff. I hope it goes well. Here is a link to some pictures of the sale. ESTATE SALE (click here)
Dan (Spinner)
Answer:
That is absolutely gorgeous. I have no knowledge of Asian art, but a special place in my heart for it, and I've seen alot of it. (DD1 from Vietnam and DD2 coming from China). I've seen alot of the stuff, and it is beautiful. Just had to tell you it's really really pretty.