Vintage 1940s Chinese Asian Paper Silk Dolls Framed Immortals 3D Art Textile For Sale

Offered is a vintage Chinese silk fabric relief panel depicting six of the legendary Eight Immortals, presented in an elaborate ornate gilt/gold-tone frame.

This piece was purchased in the late 1940s and has been preserved in its original frame for many decades.

The artwork is an example of traditional Chinese three-dimensional silk textile relief art, sometimes referred to as Chinese silk paper-doll art, silk fabric relief, or trapunto-style textile art. The figures are constructed with raised, dimensional fabric elements that give the composition an unusually tactile and sculptural appearance.

The panel depicts six figures associated with the Eight Immortals (Bāxiān), legendary figures of Chinese Taoist folklore known for their distinctive attributes and magical objects.

Each figure is dressed in elaborately patterned traditional clothing, with raised and layered textile elements creating the clothing, hair, facial features and accessories.

The six figures are arranged side-by-side within a rectangular textile panel and are surrounded by a wide gold-tone textured mat and an exceptionally ornate decorative frame.

The figures depicted appear to represent six members of the traditional Eight Immortals. Their distinctive attributes include:

• He Xiangu – the only female member of the Eight Immortals, traditionally associated with a lotus flower or other symbolic object.
• Han Xiangzi – traditionally associated with the jade flute and music.
• Lü Dongbin – the scholar and warrior traditionally depicted with a sword.
• Cao Guojiu – associated with the imperial court and traditionally depicted wearing official court attire.
• Lan Caihe – traditionally associated with a flower basket and often depicted in distinctive, unconventional clothing.
• Zhang Guolao – the elderly immortal traditionally associated with his fish-drum/yugu.

Please note: The identification of the individual figures is based on their traditional attributes and the subject matter of this type of Chinese textile artwork.

The piece was purchased in the late 1940s by my grandmother.

The exact date and place of manufacture are unknown. Based on the family's ownership history and the construction of the artwork and frame, it is being offered as a vintage mid-20th-century Chinese textile artwork.

The artwork is housed in a highly decorative gilt/gold-tone frame featuring extensive raised ornamental detailing, including floral, scroll and foliate motifs.

The frame itself is gorgeous!

Vintage condition with considerable age-related wear.

The artwork has remained framed for many decades.

The silk/textile panel has age-related discoloration, fading and surface irregularities consistent with its age. Because the figures are constructed from raised textile elements, some areas have natural variation in the surface and relief.

The ornate frame is in excellent vintage condition.
The gold matting is original/old and also shows age-related wear.

There are old handwritten markings on the rear backing, apparently relating to the item's past handling or framing. Their meaning is unknown and they are not being represented as an artist's signature or provenance.

The original hanging wire remains attached.

Please examine all photographs carefully. The photographs are an important part of the condition description.

The piece has not been professionally cleaned or restored.

This listing describes the piece based on its observable construction, subject matter and known family history.

It is being offered as a vintage Chinese silk fabric relief depicting six of the Eight Immortals.

The exact artist, workshop, date of manufacture and original place of purchase are unknown. No claim is being made regarding a particular artist or workshop.

You will receive the exact framed artwork shown in the photographs.

Please note: This is a vintage framed textile artwork with glass. Because of the size and glass, shipping will require careful packing. Local pickup may also be available. I live in Manhattan. If you want to do local pickup, let me know and I will remove the shipping fee.