Quilter's Muse Virtual Museum                 

 

Copyright 2002-2006, Quilter's Muse Publications.  All rights reserved. 
                                 Patricia and James Cummings,  Concord, NH <>

  <><><><><><><><><>

Antique Chinese Embroideries
Mystery Solved

 

by Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings

Within the past few years, we have been perplexed by the origin of certain appliquéd textiles seen for sale in antique shops in northern New England. While they obviously have various intended uses, they all have a number of features in common. We assume that they are kitchen linens made to serve as small towels, and as placemats. We have also seen larger tablecloths with these stylistic and very colorful, pastel motifs.

 

                                  Chinese embroidery

   Cheerful colors and great workmanship make these towels distinctive.  photo by James Cummings

The household linens all feature tiny buttonhole stitch embroidery used to hold the flower appliqué designs in place. All are executed with the utmost skill and the most intricate workmanship. The appliqué work appears to have been done with a very fine needle and possibly under magnification.

                                   Chinese embroidery

Close-up of another little towel. This one has a mint green border, and hemstitching, as do the others. photo by James Cummings

After puzzling over their source, and trying to find the answer to their provenance by asking others who might know, and by looking in books, I was amazed to finally stumble upon the answer in a book which was purchased for a nominal sum at Sam’s Club.

A Stitch in Time: a comprehensive, practical guide to needlecraft techniques by Lucinda Ganderton, (London:  Hermes House, 2003) shows a sample photo which she identifies as “traditional floral Chinese appliqué.”

 

 

                                 Chinese embroidery

                            A third towel features butterflies, too.
                                     photo by James Cummings

You can only imagine how happy I was to solve yet another mystery!  Last week, we found another towel with the same kinds of colors but the edges of the appliqués were secured with poorly done machine zigzag stitch. We are wondering if these are a spin-off of the previously done excellent work. They are a poor replica of the quality represented in the first designs we collected.

 

 

LETTERS RECEIVED

June 26, 2003 - a letter received from one of our readers:

The style of appliqué that you picture is being reproduced prolifically in China today and for the last fifty years or so. You can buy the same tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, doilies and more almost anywhere in Southeast Asia today. Some of this embroidery is beautifully stitched and some is not. I have sheets (somewhere) with that same motif.
 
I lived in Singapore for eight years and began collecting Chinese Mandarin Sleeves in the late 1970s. I have numerous books on Chinese embroidery but that kind of appliqué isn't in them that I remember. I will look this weekend to see what appliqués are pictured, but I think what you have is probably this century.
 
Joanna Baleson

June 27, 2003 - Information from another reader:

The appliqué pieces you show are not really very historic. I doubt if they go back over one hundred years, more probably about sixty years. They are made to order for the western market. Most of them are "Hand Towels." This is an item that women put out in the bathroom when guests were expected. Of course the guest would not use them because they look so pristine.

At the present time the best quality of embroidery/appliqué of this style is done in Madeira. I suspect that it may have started in Madeira and China started turning out a poor quality imitation. It was never an indigenous type of Chinese embroidery, developing out of their traditions and for use by the Chinese People.

©Copyright 2003. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire.  To comment on this file, please write to:  pat@quiltersmuse.com

HOME PAGE

 

 

pat@quiltersmuse.com