East Asia, China, Qing to Republic period, early 20th century CE. A wonderful trio of antique Chinese watercolors depicting people engaged in the process of silk making, professionally set in matching frames that are handcrafted with bamboo veneers and gold-toned details. One of the compositions includes a boy dressed in red and green who holds a basket of silk worms flanked by two young men dressed in blue. The man on the left is examining hundreds of silk worms being stored on five bamboo shelves, while the man on the right sits on an elegant bench in a relaxed pose with one knee raised and holds a cup presumably filled with tea or another refreshing beverage in one hand. Size of each image is approximately: 11.25" W x 6.75" H (28.6 cm x 17.1 cm) Size of frames: 20.875" W x 16.5" H (53 cm x 41.9 cm)

Further to the right and in front of a stone wall is a table that matches the design of the bench and is decorated with a vase of flowers, below a round window. Behind the boy is another bamboo shelving unit that stores four circular trays of silk worms. Finally, beyond the garden wall are groves of trees, perhaps mulberry trees since silkworms enjoy feasting on mulberry leaves.

Joining this composition are two more paintings that each present young men energetically creating the silk threads on a loom amidst a picturesque natural setting. A wonderful trio of paintings that is ideal for any silk enthusiast or collector of Chinese visual culture.

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#165568

All three paintings are set in custom frames with bamboo veneer finishes behind glass. The paintings have not been examined outside the frames but appear to be in very nice condition save slight stains. The frames themselves show minor age wear with scuffs/abrasions to the finish and some hairline fissures to the white painted mattes. All are wired for suspension and ready to display. Labels on versos reference "Atlanta Gallery" and Trowbridge frames.