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A PAIR OF LARGE CHINESE EMBROIDERED SILK OPERA OR THEATRE WALL HANGINGS (3)
Qing Dynasty, Late 19th Century
Depicting theatrical figures and Chinese dragons, backed on to blue ground silk, the panels 183cm wide; 315cm high; overall 300cm wide; 375cm high, including blue backing; Together with a 19th Century Chinese silk wall hanging with embroidered figures, including the three figure of wise men or sānjiào (three teachings-Buddhist, Daoist, Confucian) 三教, one holding a ruyi sceptre 如意, Lingzhi fungus 灵芝
Wu fu, 五福, 202cm wide; 441cm high
| Estimate: | £1,000 - £2,000 |
| Hammer price: | £3,200 |
These two large and impressive wall hangings depict a tangle of figures, many recognisable to the audience, enlivened with vibrant colours, woven in silk, metallic threads and wools. These probably hung either in a theatre as wall decoration or as a stage backdrop to enhance the narrative. It’s possible to pick out certain characters, possibly Guanyin (觀音) and Zhang Fei (張飛), together with a warrior, dragon and fu lions. Heroes from Chinese folklore, such as ‘The Three Brothers of the Peach Orchard’ were typical subject matter.
The theatre was a beloved traditional art form in China. Later in the 18th Century the Peking Opera (京剧 – jīng jù) evolved from a mixture of travelling troupes to form an unique style, which was really championed and loved by the Empress Dowager Cixi in the 1860s. These portable and versatile theatre wall hangings could have been used by travelling companies to adore the stages or advertise productions. A similar example held in the collection at the MET, New York (acc. 59.10) is comparable in form and function.
Condition report:
Overall areas of loss and fraying, please see extra images on www.bellmans.co.uk to illustrate this. Clearly these have ben used and are worn commensurate with age and exposure.
Fading possibly although the colours are vibrant.
Losses and tears to the blue backing cloth in areas.
Dirt and dust.