Textiles of China and Central Asia

A silk embroidered Buddhist mandala, or meditation panel. Chinese, Ming dynasty,
1368-1644, 16th century. Measurements: 55 x 68 cm

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Jacqueline Simcox will speak about the recent Prestel publication: Textiles of China and Central Asia, co-authored with Mariachiara Gasparini, Associate Professor of Chinese Art and Art History at the University of Oregon; Eiren Shea, Associate Professor of Art History at Grinnell College, and Amy Heller, Tibetologist at the University of Bern.

The collection is privately held and was formed by collectors over many years and reflects their deep interest in Central Asian silk textiles and the trade in Chinese silks including textiles and costumes, which were bestowed on Tibet from the Chinese court over many generations. It includes examples of the major textile techniques of kesi (tapestry), embroidery and a variety of brocades. Of special interest are the rare group of 7th-8th century silk samite, pearl roundel Sogdian weavings; 10th-12th century naturalistic Liao embroideries and 13th century East Central Asian tapestries for Uighur costumes. The early Buddhist textiles are particularly important and include an exceptionally rare 13th century Xi Xia Empire embroidery. There are Ming dynasty, 1368-1644 and Qing dynasty 1644-1912 textiles used in monastic settings and Chinese 17th and 18th century brocade dragon robes bestowed on Tibetan lay aristocrats. The book itself has a short essay for each of the 64 items and the talk will cover some of the background research on the textiles.

Ms. Simcox’s talk will focus on a selection of the most interesting pieces and the comparative research that informed their dating and interpretation. High-quality images of the works will be shown, with all comparative material clearly attributed to distinguish book images from those in museum and other collections.

Jacqueline Simcox owns a private art dealership in London, specialising in Chinese and Central Asian textiles. She has exhibited at international fairs around the world in recent decades and lectures on Chinese silks and their history for the SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate diploma course at London University and the Victoria & Albert Museum course on Chinese art. With John E. Vollmer she co-authored Emblems of Empire: Selections from the Mactaggart Art Collection, for the University of Alberta Museums in Edmonton, Canada and she has contributed to various museum exhibition catalogues and journals.