Archives for the month of: September, 2011
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Embroided Shoes

09/30/2011 //
0

L250mm, China

This is a pair of Miao Zu minority tribe embroidery shoes.  The Miao has their own individual language but not an individual text; their history is passed down the generations by word of mouth in form of songs or as a design on their costumes (by embroidery, accessories, folding, stitching, etc).  For example, Butterfly = ancestors, mother.  As fashion is their form of literature, it goes hand in hand that they have superb embroidery skills.  The skill would be passed down from mother to daughters.  Traditionally, embroiled shoes are worn by single young ladies who would select different shoes for different suitors and occasions.

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Categories costume, embroidery, tribal

Seed Bead Chakla

09/29/2011 //
0

W200xL200mm, India

This is an Indian beaded chakla believed to be from the Kathi tribe in India.   Beadwork (moti-bharat) was introduced into India through trades with East Africa in the 19th Century when Venetian Murano beads landed in western India.   It became a very popular needlework craft among the Kathi women.  These beadwork chakla would be traditional used as wall hanging decorations, usually over a door for attraction positive energy.

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Categories glass, painting / prints, tribal

Discharge Dye Fabric

09/28/2011 //
0

 Textile Width 750mm, China

Discharge dyeing works with the removal of the dye originally applied to the fabric.  In this case, it was originally a red piece of fabric using a dye remover was applied through a stencil resulting in a pattern of the red colour.  This technique was introduced into China in the 50s which became very popular in the rural area.  Traditional fabric dyeing technique in China are based on vegetable dye where the intensity of the colour will run through time and wash.  Discharge dyeing was most welcomed as the colour stays and the patterns are fine.  This fabric has a butterfly and flower print.

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Categories fabric

Clay Toy A-Fu

09/27/2011 //
0

H150xW100xD80mm, China

This is a clay toy named Da A Fu; legend has it that once upon a time, the area of Hui Shan was inhabited by wild monsters.  The villagers were very afraid of them.  One day the the Sand Child god, named Da A Fu, was send from heaven to tame the  monsters. With magical powers, just a grin from Da A Fu, the monsters would become very gentle.  The villagers made clay figures of Da A Fu to commemorate him.  The figures are also used as a protector of devils.

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Categories clay, figurine, toy

Glass Painting

09/26/2011 //
0

W700xH550mm, China

This is a reverse glass painting; paint is applied onto a piece of glass which the image is to be viewed from the opposite side of the glass.  This art form was introduced from west to China in the Qing dynasty and likely by missionary Giuseppe Castiglione.  Being a Chinese court painter, he was a major influence in the oil painting history in China.

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Categories glass, painting / prints

Monkey Mask

09/25/2011 //
0

W200xH250mm, Indonesia

This is Java Topeng in the form of a monkey.  Actors would wear these masks to perform a traditional dance.  These performance usually take place at night and will last for several hours.

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Categories mask, tribal, wood

Bird Cage

09/24/2011 //
6

Dia250xH450, China

This is a birdcage both for raising a bird at home and for “walking” the bird.  The Chinese believed that even for home kept birds, they should be meeting with their birdy friends to share their songs.  In the south, this gathering would happen daily at the teahouse, usually in the morning over dim sum where the owners should chat with their friends and the birds theirs.

There are also the attachment to go with it; bird feed bowl,  bird feeding cage.

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Categories bamboo, cage, container

Silver Necklace

09/23/2011 //
2

DIA150mm, China

This is silverware gift for the baby’s 100 days birthday, a bit like the silver spoon for the baby shower in the West.  The child mortality rate in old China is very high, it is be believed that the locket would lock the life of the child to the living world.   The pendent is an add on blessing for the child’s success in the future.  The child will keep the necklace on till adulthood.

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Categories costume, jewellery, metal

Snuff Bottle

09/22/2011 //
0

H120xW90mm, China

Snuff bottle is very popular in Qing Dynasty China, tobacco was introduced to China in the 16th century  smoking however is banned.  The use of snuff (powdered tobacco) is believed to have medicinal effect and therefore allowed, it quickly spread amongst the upper class and became a social ritual.  The container became more refined in terms of craftsmanship and the use material showing off the status of its owner.  This bottle is a red  overlay on transparent glass ground carved to illustrate bats (blessing).

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Categories container, glass

Cow Bell

09/21/2011 //
0

W250xH150xD150mm, Indonesia

This is a musical instrument known as the Okokan which is in fact a cow bell.  Originally the Balinese use the cow bell to keep track of their cows and buffalos in the field.  When the herd of cows move, the bell would sound like music playing.  This inspire the farmers to use it was an entertainment during harvest, it is also believe that the evil can be steered away as it does to the flies for the cows.  This Okokan is in the shape of a head with the tongue being the clapper.

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Categories tribal, wood
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