Treasure from a Far Away Land
I thought I'd start the week off with a burst of colour!!
I recently received this wall hanging from Gbf's parents. They picked it up on a trip to China 20 years ago. A treasure from a far away land!!
To give you an idea of the size , it measures 30x 51 inches.
How wonderful are those circles with their folded triangles edges. They remind me of prairie point binding or pine burr quilts.
Upon my first glance I thought the animals surrounding the circles represented the Chinese astrological signs.
There's a tiger
a Rooster
But then there's some animals that I'm really not sure of. Does anyone recognise this animal? A squirrel that is angry because his tail has been cut off , perhaps??
The flip side is even more colourful!!
and even more wonderfully wonky.
If you look closely you'll notice the critters are creepy crawlies, spiders, scorpions, snakes.
A side view shows how their little bodies are 3D.
Every type of fabric has been used - cotton, linen, varieties of polyester, corduroy and even some stretch knit.
The blocks have been stabilised with paper. I know this because the paper has been left inside!! It stiffens the wall hanging and gives it a very papery rustling sound if you handle it.
So there you have it, The Chinese wall hanging or as I prefer to call it
The Great Wall Hanging Of China.
How lucky am I to have it hanging in my hallway!
28 Comments
Che meraviglia!
ReplyDeleteCiao
Such a wonderful treasure. You are so lucky.
ReplyDeleteVery very lucky! Both sides are wonderful, though I think I prefer the crazy back. Do you flip it back and forward in your hallway, as the mood takes you? Or do you have a preferred side?
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful gift! A friend loaned me a Chinese quilt like the backside of this one (loved it, wanted to keep it) but I've never seen anything like the front. Lucky you! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible conversation piece! So many dimensional details. It's just amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring piece! Thanks for starting my Monday with such a great blast of color and ingenuity.
ReplyDeleteOh my! I've never seen anything like this before. The detail is incredible!!
ReplyDeleteI love all the critters on that hanging - they are very amusing. It must make your hallway even more cheerful! I have no idea what the angry tailless squirrel is though.
ReplyDeleteVery colorful and interesting! What a lovely gift--one that keeps on giving I bet!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very nice gift, I like the flip side. Great wall hanging of China..LOL
ReplyDeleteOooh, how cool! Love the name too ;o)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! You are very lucky to receive this beauty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! I think I love the back the most- all those 3D critters and pretty shapes!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if your unrecognisable animal is supposed to be a turtle?
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing piece this is!
What a wonderful unique gift! I love the scorpion.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI know what that animal is. It's me. When I wake up in the morning before I've had enough sleep. It's beautiful Rachael - I love the name you have given it!
ReplyDeleteHave you made the hallway larger? I don't know how you would fit another thing in, although I can see why you find room! It is so wild in its colouring. Pretty great gift.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. Love the colour.
ReplyDeleteYou will have to report back if you find out what those animals are.
Wow! lucky you. what a fun and interesting wall hanging to study and appreciate.
ReplyDeleteI love the animals and the bugs too.
Enjoy your new treasure, I know you will!!
This is quite a treasure, Rachael! Do you turn it around every couple of months? I'm not sure which side I like better!
ReplyDeletewow!! That is SO cool. :) I might be jealous.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, Rachael! Just amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow Rachael....stunning and then you turned the quilt over....a beautiful piece! Always a burst of colour when I visit!
ReplyDeleteInteresting wall hanging! I love the name;). My best guess is zodiac signs too, although the angry squirrel looks kind of like a turtle sitting and I'm pretty sure turtle isn't a sign. Either way, you have a real treasure!
ReplyDeleteI want one too! You are lucky Rachael! It's a beautiful wall-hanging! And by the way, I forgot to mention in one of your earlier posts, Your hallway with quilts hanging is absolutely stunning art gallery!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treasure to have been given to you. I think the "creatures" are super cute. Its interesting to study how another culture makes things and their designs.
ReplyDeleteAm just loving the Great Wall Hanging of China (I was thinking it should be called that .... and then I read that you actually were ! Great minds!). Thanks for a much needed burst of colour on a very horrid grey day in England. xCathy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.