Featured is it possible to save this chinese beadwork?

dear all

just wondering if it is possible to save this. it belonged to my great grandma, given to my mum and now it is mine the kind of "junk" you inherit and know nothing about what to do with it .....

regards
phaik hooi

 

I have "saved" a lot of Victorian beadwork by mounting it on to old canvas of the same thread count and then replacing the missing beads with Victorian beads to match (I have a lot of those)
However I don't think that's possible with your piece but you could stabilise it by mounting onto a firm backing fabric.

You could then frame the decent part.

The fringe in the 2nd pic could be reused on something else.

 

Phaik, they are beautiful. Personally I would restore them by hand, I used to do that with those micro beads. I still have the tiny needles and old beads.
Since this is classic Peranakan beadwork, it is probably best to contact a museum, or someone knowledgeable in the Peranakan community. It would be a shame if you inadvertently ruined something so important to future Peranakan generations.

http://masters-craft.blogspot.nl/2015/11/peranakan-beadwork.html
http://peranakanmuseum.org.sg/collection/top-20-highlights/beadwork-tablecloth
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/stitching-together-a-world-of-nonya-tales
https://jenniferlimart.com/blog/2017/11/9/where-to-do-peranakan-beadwork-in-singapore
https://shop.singpost.com/peranakan-beadwork-csgft042.html

 

You dont give sizes,but I assume these are small? I cant offer any help,other than to say they would make fabulous dollhouse rugs!

 

Very expensive dollhouse rugs.

 

Dead perfect for Queen Mary's then, the one that's in Buckingham Palace if memory serves. She loved doll houses and to call her taste expensive would be an understatement. I'd contact a museum too; those are too nice to mess with.

 

@Any Jewelry i had contacted the singapore national museum a few year back but they were not interested and the peranakan museum in singapore is too elitist i had suggested at that time that the pieces will be very useful for in-depth study of needle-work and hands-on restoration education. i guess i have to look elsewhere to donate the pieces to ...

@evelyb30 any suggestions as to which museum would be interested? not a local museum for sure

 

i have been trying quite hard to donate my mum's collection to a museum. the only thing i managed to send out were glass plate negatives of peranakan studio photographs and some old photos. they were donated to the singapore national archives. i guess they (the museums) may have storage space problems too

my great great grandma, i think in her early 20s
http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/1b575f40-0300-11e7-afb1-0050568939ad

 

here are the measurements of the beadwork

1) 13” by 21 1⁄4” manek area with 1” metallic frill
2) and 3) Hangings: 2 pieces 12 1⁄4” by 4” panel of felt with gold thread decoration, 10 1⁄4” by 6” manek area with 6” metallic frill. Felt panel has cloth string and chinese buttons.
4) 12 1⁄2” by 20” main manek area, 2 1⁄2” manek edges (presumably to hang over edge cos no cloth backing) with 2” manek frill

 

I have no idea which museum to suggest; I'm on the other side of the world. Some University textile art programs like getting hold of bits like that. I don't know who is near you, or if there are any near you.

 

Since Peranakan culture is roughly the same all over the Peranakan region, I could ask a Dutch museum, if you like. There are two museums in Leiden and Rotterdam that now house most collections from colonial Indonesia and the former Dutch colonies in Malaysia.

 

Beautiful photograph, Phaik, and beautiful jewellery. I noticed her kerosang (heart shaped brooch) looks so much like the Portuguese Viana heart pendant that inspired it:


That's what I love about Peranakan culture, all those influences.
People often forget the Portuguese influence, which was considerable. They were the first Europeans in Southeast Asia.

 

yes please and tq!

 

sadly we no longer have that particular piece

 

Ok. Just the beadwork, or other items as well? We can do this through a conversation if you prefer.

Edit: The one in Leiden has a nice Peranakan collection, but little beadwork, I'd think they would be very happy with additions. Here is their beadwork collection:

 

That is wonderful. I used to do beadwork and I know how much love went into that piece. I hope one of the Dutch museums is interested. I have a small collection of Native American beadwork and there's an Abenaki woman in New England who is reviving the tradition. Good luck

 

Phaik, I hope you don't mind that I inverted that LOVELY image of your great great grandma....her beauty shines through so much more now we can see her!!!!!! Truly BEAUTIFUL!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

 

of course not, the positive and a little blurb is in the link i posted

 

just sent you a message

 

Hi phaik hooi,

You probably already resolved your problem but in case you haven't and for others with the same problem, this advice is for you.


Long Thread Media was founded by Linda Ligon, Anne Merrow, and John Bolton to publish Handwoven, Little Looms, PieceWork, and Spin Off, as well as offer information, education, and community to crafters in those fields.


FYI
"Strait's Chinese Beadwork And Embroidery" by Ho Wing Meng might be of help to you for information about this art form. Sadly, this is hard to find today.

Best wishes,
E. Birdy