Lot of 2 Antique Chinese Watercolors - Silk Making

East Asia, China, Qing to Republic period, early 20th century CE. A wonderful pair of antique Chinese watercolors depicting people engaged the process of silk making, professionally set in matching frames that are handcrafted with bamboo veneers and gold-toned details. Both compositions include two women dressed in blue and a boy dressed in red and green. One of the watercolors depicts a woman sitting upon a stool as she spins silk threads. To the left is the other woman who carries a basket, perhaps holding silk worms, and endearingly places her other hand on the forehead of the young boy who carries a vessel. 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)

To the right and in front of a stone wall is a red table with a vase of flowers upon it, below a window. Behind the standing woman and boy is a garden wall with groves of tree saplings beyond it. Perhaps these are mulberry trees, the leaves of which silkworms enjoy feasting upon.

Joining this composition is another painting that presents the woman who was spinning the threads in the previous composition, now weaving the threads on a loom. Also in this composition is the red table furnished with the vase of flowers and two urns or seats just beyond, all amidst a picturesque natural setting. To the right, the other woman stands before a table and pours tea into two cups, while the boy looks on. A wonderful pair of paintings, ideal for any silk enthusiast or collector of Chinese visual culture.

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection

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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, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

#163818
Condition Report: Both paintings are set in custom frames with bamboo veneer finishes and gold leaf 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.