Yesterday, we visited a friend we met at antique fairs, invited to see her father's collection of Chinese porcelain and paintings.
After "elevenses"; tea, sandwiches and a coconut cake, we went upstairs to the porcelain and jade room. More than 3 hours later, we tottered downstairs, exhausted.
We had looked until our eyes blurred, bent over delicate pieces and heard the stories depicted in elaborate scenes.
We examined the intricacies of carvings of warriors and dragons, saw gestalt figures in a large piece of jade, felt cold stone warm to our hands, imagined settings for this piece and that.
Listened as the art "spoke" to us.
Two of the pieces are displayed here; a large glass snuff bottle, painted on the inside (through a tiny opening barely wide enough for a skinny chopstick) with seashore and town centre scenes. Priced (see the website) at $980 Canadian.
I boggled at the idea of painting these: with what? An L-shaped, fine-tipped paintbrush? And a magnifying glass?
With immense talent and patience, that's certain.
And a plate decorated with three dragons contending for the "flaming pearl", which Goretti (the daughter and present owner) told us is symbolic of a great treasure, hidden away; the princess in her palace, for example. ($4,800.00)
Beautiful things, gorgeous jade, vases to die for, tiny bowls for the most exquisite tea, wine ewers, wood carvings, Kuan Yin statuettes in jade, porcelain, pottery, iron and stone. Boxes upon boxes containing indescribable wonder.
We barely skimmed the surface. And didn't get to the paintings at all.
Overwhelming, utterly discombobulating. The privilege to see and handle these treasures, a precious gift. Words fail me.
Thank you, Goretti, thank you!
After "elevenses"; tea, sandwiches and a coconut cake, we went upstairs to the porcelain and jade room. More than 3 hours later, we tottered downstairs, exhausted.We had looked until our eyes blurred, bent over delicate pieces and heard the stories depicted in elaborate scenes.
We examined the intricacies of carvings of warriors and dragons, saw gestalt figures in a large piece of jade, felt cold stone warm to our hands, imagined settings for this piece and that.
Listened as the art "spoke" to us.
Two of the pieces are displayed here; a large glass snuff bottle, painted on the inside (through a tiny opening barely wide enough for a skinny chopstick) with seashore and town centre scenes. Priced (see the website) at $980 Canadian.I boggled at the idea of painting these: with what? An L-shaped, fine-tipped paintbrush? And a magnifying glass?
With immense talent and patience, that's certain.
And a plate decorated with three dragons contending for the "flaming pearl", which Goretti (the daughter and present owner) told us is symbolic of a great treasure, hidden away; the princess in her palace, for example. ($4,800.00)Beautiful things, gorgeous jade, vases to die for, tiny bowls for the most exquisite tea, wine ewers, wood carvings, Kuan Yin statuettes in jade, porcelain, pottery, iron and stone. Boxes upon boxes containing indescribable wonder.
We barely skimmed the surface. And didn't get to the paintings at all.
Overwhelming, utterly discombobulating. The privilege to see and handle these treasures, a precious gift. Words fail me.
Thank you, Goretti, thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Her website, again: Imperial Gallery . Drop in and spend an hour!
