Silk paintings?

Anyone have an idea as to the age of these? Are they on silk? Japanese? The frames are obviously not the greatest. I tried to get photos the best I could without any glare. I haven't taken the backing off of the frames so I'm assuming the size of the fabric is limited to the 6 x 6.5 exposed piece. Any info would be helpful. Thank you!

 

More likely Chinese. And, you're right... what sad, sad frames and mats. Also, a very awkward use of linear perspective. Someone uncomfortable with Western painting techniques. Anything on the backs?

Debora

 

No, nothing on the backs.

 

Looks like what would have been helpful (a sticker) is no longer there.

Debora

 

Unfortunately

 

It's a shame these got matted in so tight, I think you are missing quite a bit of the image. It is possible that there may be writing underneath the mat. I saw quite a few image samples when I searched on Chinese silk painting. If you are going to keep them, you might want to look at freshening up the frame with sanding and paint and getting new mats and UV glass.

 

You know... That's a very good point. The matting does look rather -- how shall we say? -- arbitrary. Maybe it was meant to conceal writing.

Debora

 

I decided to go ahead and take one apart. This is what was in between two mats.

 

Exhale. So much better now. At least the images can breath. And following the original artistic intent.

Debora

 

Absolutely! I just wish the glue wasn't on the front. Any suggestions?

 

Tricky I'd think given age.

Debora

 

How old do you think they are? I haven't a clue.

 

Neither do I. But those frames looked said 1960-ish.

Debora

 

Thank you for your help Debora .

 

Pleasure. Wish I could help more.

Debora

 

I'm with Debora, Chinese. Traditional paintings on silk, probably scenes from well-known folk stories, poems or novels.

I wouldn't call it uncomfortable, just a different tradition. The artist wasn't trying to paint in a Western style.

 

Was the picture held in with nails or push points? From the look of the backing paper with burnt on image, it has been framed for quite a while. Is the black border glued down to something? It looks like there is cardboard there.

 

It was held in with push points. It's very strange. The black border is glued on paper that the silk must also be glued onto?...and that was glued onto cardboard that had the mat on top of it. It looks like the whole silk piece bled through the paper.

 

Those are modern points from a gun. Probably framed within the last 30 years. If you saved your mat you can take it to your framer or local hobby supplier and they will cut you a new one.

 

Okay. Thank you very much!