Frames

Framed Antique Chinese Embroideries

Frames

I discovered Chinese embroideries on my travels in India. At least 100 years old and, probably, older they were brought to India during a period of extensive trade between the two ancient countries. Aristocratic Indian families ordered them through emissaries who selected Chinese craftsmen to perform the intricate embroidery - all of it done by hand, mostly in silk or silk-satin fabric. The flower-bearer in the background is drawn from one of the many lovely patterns. The detailed thread work is outstanding, down to the facial features. These embroideries were used as trim for a "sari" - the Indian woman's traditional native dress. Some of the frames contain work done in the "forbidden stitch," "blind stitch," or knot stitch.

Some of the Chinese women who did work on embroderies of this nature went blind. At a later date, the technique was forbidden, hence, "forbidden stitch." These frames are exceptionally valuable.

Some of the images have fuzzy horizontal or vertial lines in them. These are a result of stitching two or more images together to form a single image. Please try to ignore them as you browse through these works of art.

This collection represents a fraction of our total number of framed antique Chinese embroideries. Each frame was individually hand crafted by a custom frame maker who is no longer in business. He was the best San Francisco could offer in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The gold-leaf frames are of special noteworthyness. If you are interested in seeing photos of our family collection, please send us an email. In addition to the frames, we have hundreds of feet of embroidery yardage, which we plan to offer for sale as soon as we can catalog them and scan them as we have done the frames.

Some of the uses for the yard goods, in addition to framing, that we have found to be quite enjoyable are pillows, photo album covers, purses, and doll clothing. We're sure you can think of many other uses.

We experience great joy in bringing them to you custom-framed like the true and rare works of art they are. We hope you will enjoy these exquisite antique Chinese embroideries as much as we do.

Also, please check out our jewelry.

Mala and Jerome

	Street Scene with Palaquin and Pagoda Frame size: 29.25 x 9.375 Embroidery size:23.125 x 3 Price: $300 The embroidery in this frame depicts a typical sceen in ancient China. Note the palaquin and pagoda. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Design Frame size: 7.375 x 20.25 Embroidery size:2 x 14.25 Price: $200 This floral design contains patterns of the "forbidden stitch," the stitch that the Chinese women went blind in doing. The gold corners of the frame make this beauty a bargain at any price! Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Mandarin Duck with Flowers Frame size: 16.25 x 10.75 Embroidery size:8 x 1.875 Price: $60 The duck in the center of this still life brings your attention right in. The frame, itself, is exquisite. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Birds and Flowers Frame size: 15.5 x 10.375 Embroidery size: 7.625 x 2.125 Price: $90 This is another bird and floral scene within a beautiful frame. The birds are probably pheasants, which represent beauty and good fortune. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Colorful Birds and Flowers Frame size: 16.25 x 10.25 Embroidery size: 8.5 x 2.75 Price: $290 The subtle appearance of birds in this frame give it a sense of awe and beauty. They are probably cranes, which represent longevity. The frame, alone, is well worth the price with its golden edges. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Tea Time in the Garden Frame size: 15.75 x 10.25 Embroidery size: 9.25 x 3 Price: $250 This is home scene with a distinguished lady having tea brought to her. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	The Pagoda in the Garden Frame size: 15.75 x 10.25 Embroidery size: 9.25 x 3 Price: $300 This is garden scene just to the left of the lady in the having tea. What makes this special is the gazebo. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Design Frame size: 7.75 x 14.625 Embroidery size:2 x 8.25 Price: $200 This floral design contains patterns of the "forbidden stitch." The flowers are probably poppys, which is the Chinese symbol for the 12th month. The gold leaf on the frame make this beauty a bargain at any price! Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Frame size: 12.375 x 12.875 Embroidery size:6.125 x 7.25 Price: $60 This beauty is entirly made of the "forbidden stitch." The frame, itself, is has a feeling of solid wood. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Frame size: 12.375 x 12.875 Embroidery size:6.125 x 7.25 Price: $100 This beauty is entirly made of the "forbidden stitch." The flower is probably a peony, representing prosperity and spring. The frame, itself, is has a feeling of solid wood, and is one of my favorites. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Collection of Good-Luck Birds Frame size: 8.5 x 14.125 Embroidery size:4.5 x 6.375 Price: $250 The birds in this embroidery have a classic Chinese interpretation. They represent vitality and freedom. The central bird is probably a crane, representing longevity. The golden frame is a treasure of its own. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Collection of Good-Luck Birds Frame size: 8.5 x 14.125 Embroidery size:4.5 x 6.375 Price: $250 The birds in this embroidery have a classic Chinese interpretation. They represent vitality and freedom. The central bird is probably a crane, representing longevity. The golden frame is a treasure of its own. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Floral Pattern with Butterflys Frame size: 14.25 x 13.375 Embroidery size:7.625 x 12.875 Price: $500 This floral arrangement is a thing of beauty. This is the largest embroidery in the collection that is for sale. The golden frame is a treasure of its own. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Brightly Colored Flowers Frame size: 20.25 x 10.75 Embroidery size:13.625 3.625 Price: $300 This floral arrangement combined with the professional matting and gold leaf frame make this truly a work of art. It is one of the best in the collection. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Arrangement Frame size: 23.75 x 9.375 Embroidery size:17.125 3.75 Price: $500 This piece is made almost entirely with the "forbidden stitch." The flowers and stitching are exquisite. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Nicely Matted Flowers Frame size: 22.375 x 9.5 Embroidery size:17.125 2.375 Price: $100 The bright colors of the birds and flowers make this piece rather unique. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Pattern Frame size: 9.25 x 16.625 Embroidery size:3.375 x 10.375 Price: $300 Even though there is some damage to the embroidery, this frame is still quite a good value because of the "forbidden stitch." The matting preserves the embroidery in a way that will make it a thing of beauty for years to come. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Pattern Frame size: 9.25 x 16.625 Embroidery size:3.375 x 10.375 Price: $300 Even though there is some damage to the embroidery, this frame is still quite a good value because of the "forbidden stitch." The matting preserves the embroidery in a way that will make it a thing of beauty for years to come. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Brightly Colored Flowers and Bird Frame size: 17.125 x 9.2 Embroidery size:10.375 x 2.375 Price: $150 This floral arrangement with the smiling bird is bright and cheery. It would beautify any home. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Street Scene Frame size: 26.5 x 8.5 Embroidery size:21.25 x 2.625 Price: $300 The street scene depicted in this embroidery is typical of Chinese art of the period. The pink frame with golden corners is extremely beautiful and is one of my favorites. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Floral Design Frame size: 19.25 x 7.125 Embroidery size:13.875 x 1.25 Price: $200 Brightly colored flowers blend well with other deisgn elements to produce a pleasing work of art. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Floral Arrangement Frame size: 20.5 x 9 Embroidery size:14 x 1.75 Price: $50 This floral arrangement has nice coloring and fine detail. It would be a pleasure to own this beauty. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Floral Design Frame size: 18.375 x 11.875 Embroidery size:9.875 x 3 Price: $60 This beautiful floral design is captured in a gold leaf frame of distinguished beauty. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Street Scene with Animals and Gazebo Frame size: 16.5 x 9 Embroidery size:9.375 x 1.75 Price: $60 This street scene with animals and a child on mother's hip presents a colorful representation of the artistic medium of embroidery. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forest Scene Frame size: 18 x 10.5 Embroidery size:9.875 x 2 Price: $50 This forest scene features a peacock and a deer. Both of these are signs of good fortune. The purple flower is constucted from the "forbidden stitch." Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Flowers and Birds Frame size: 16.875 x 8.125 Embroidery size:11.5 x 2.5 Price: $250 This floral and bird collection is unsurpassed in beauty. All of the major elements are done in the "forbidden stitch." Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Design Frame size: 18.875 x 8.375 Embroidery size:11.5 x 3.5 Price: $300 The blue shades in this floral pattern are exitingly beautiful. The central flower is made entirely of the "forbidden stitch." Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Love Birds and Flowers Frame size: 19.875 x 10.375 Embroidery size:11.5 x 2.375 Price: $100 This scene with love birds and flowers has a dark background which enhances the effects of the craftswoman that made the embroidery. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Family Portrait Frame size: 12.5 x 8.25 Embroidery size:6.125 x 2.125 Price: $50 This frame of a family of a rooster, a hen, and a chicken running around the garden is probably the best value in the whole collection. The details on the frame are very impressive. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Peacock Going After Food Frame size: 8.375 x 6.25 Embroidery size:4.375 x 1.875 Price: $35 The peacock in the embroidery is searching for food in the garden. This is a fine entry level piece. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Floral Arrangement Frame size: 8.5 x 6.625 Embroidery size:4.375 x 2 Price: $75 This flower is crafted entirely in "forbidden stitch." This makes the frame an exceptional value. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Street Sceen with a Gazebo Frame size: 9.5 x 7.5 Embroidery size:4.625 x 2.75 Price: $35 This street scene presents a gazebo, bird, and man. It is a fine entry level piece. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Woman Tending the Garden Frame size: 7.125 x 7.125 Embroidery size:2.25 x 2.25 Price: $35 This diagonally framed embroidery is unusual and beautiful. It would enhance the artistic appearance of any household. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Birds of Paradise in the Garden Frame size: 14.75 x 8.375 Embroidery size:8.125 x 2.5 Price: $150 These birds of paradise are staring down each other over the flower in the center. The gold-leaf frame add to the value of the picture. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Pheasants Frame size: 12.5 x 9.5 Embroidery size:6 x 2.5 Price: $100 These pheasants and flowers are crafted with the "forbidden stitch." The pheasant represents beauty and good fortune. The frame is a masterpiece with gold leaf. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Pheasants Frame size: 9.75 x 7.75 Embroidery size:4.375 x 1.625 Price: $75 These pheasants and flowers are crafted with the "forbidden stitch." The pheasant represents beauty and good fortune. The frame is a masterpiece with gold leaf. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Pair of Pheasants Frame size: 11.125 x 8.625 Embroidery size:4.5 x 2 Price: $75 These pheasants and flowers are crafted with the "forbidden stitch." The pheasant represents beauty and good fortune. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Cranes in the Garden Frame size: 12.875 x 8.25 Embroidery size:6.875 x 2.125 Price: $75 This embroidery represents cranes feasting in the garden with a butterfly. The cranes represent longevity and the butterfly represents joy and conjugal felicity. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!
	Forbidden Stitch Flowers Frame size: 6.75 x 11.75 Embroidery size:1.875 x 5.875 Price: $75 This small frame is quite valuable due to the "forbidden stitch." The flower is a poppy, which is the Chinese symbol of 12th month. Scanned by: JeromeScanned on:9/14/99	Buy it now!