Origin:Kunming of Yunnan

Fabric:cotton

Wax printing is an ancient handicraft in China, which dated back to Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC¨C 220 AD). The hand-made wax printing technique had been lost through civilization except those preserved by the Miao ethnic group located in the remote mountainous area of Southwest China (primaryly Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunan).
To produce this beautiful artwork, artist needs to place the wax on a piece of cotton cloth by using a specifically made wax knife for the desired pattern, and then to dye the cloth for the colour, followed by melting the wax.
Wax printing has been recognized as the foundation of ancient Chinese civilization in dyeing and weaving technology. United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently reported to the United Nation (UN) the Miao costume decorations as one of the world cultural relics, including the traditional Miao wax printing.
The Miao batik designs are plain, naive, rough and powerful. Its shapes, not confining itself to exact details of natural images, are boldly diversified and exaggeratedly drawn. The diversity and exaggeration is out of pure imagination, and infinitely breathtakingly charming. The diversified designs are in geometric shape and that of natural images, which generally stem from human life or elegant legends and characterized with rich folk color. Batik is both a kind of ancient art and young and modern art. Its summarized succinct modeling, the pure bright color and the exaggeratedly-distorted decorative design meet the need of modern life, therefore, suit the modern aesthetic requirements.

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Rich Artistic Connotation & Historical Background:

This is a large Chinese classical wax-dyed tablecloth with butterfly and flower patterns.

It showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and rich cultural connotations of traditional Chinese art.

The tablecloth features a traditional wax-dyeing technique, which involves applying dye to fabric and heating it to fix the color, creating a unique pattern effect.

This process requires great skill and patience, as every detail needs to be carefully depicted and handled.

Butterflies and flowers are common motifs in Chinese art, symbolizing beauty, freedom, and happiness.

They are presented in vibrant colors on this tablecloth, evoking a sense of joy and warmth.

Apart from its visual appeal, this tablecloth also carries cultural and historical significance.

In traditional Chinese culture, butterflies represent love and beauty, while flowers symbolize life and prosperity.

These patterns may reflect the artist's admiration for the beauty of nature and passion for life.

In conclusion, this large Chinese classical wax-dyed tablecloth is a fine work of art that demonstrates the unique charm and profound cultural heritage of traditional Chinese art.

It not only has ornamental value but also bears cultural and emotional meanings.