Get ready to be schooled. Another gorgeous piece from Foursided! This client had twelve (yes twelve!) unique pieces that he requested be shadowbox framed in identical white lacquer finish moulding with a bright white linen matboard behind it.
All but one are antique, embroidered silk cloud collars with floral, animal and insect motifs. Instead of a rustic, vintage look our customer opted to give the pieces a contemporary makeover using stark white contrast and encouraging every detail to pop.
Never heard of a cloud collar? Also known as yun chien, this style of intricate ensemble has existed for thousands of years. It originated as a four-lobed collar representing the clouds (sometimes with overlapping lobes as pictured above). The body represents the axis (or earth) with the head going through the collar into the sky gate or spiritual part of the body.
Introduced as a status symbol and worn only by noblewoman, eventually the tradition was passed down to celebration and coming of age garments. Certain symbols represent prosperity and success for the wearer such as the six insects pictured in the silk collar below:
Onto the good framing stuff! Each collar needed to be laboriously hand stitched to the white mat and centered meticulously. Every framer had their turn with the thimble and thread. How worth the effort it was though, each more stunning than the last!
Stitching away!
Embroidered perfection...
fin!
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