The hand painted silk weavings featuring well executed images of the Bund, Shanghai and the Great Wall of China are classic souvenirs that were produced in large numbers from the mid to late 20th century. These objects are historically significant as the Shanghai skyline has changed dramatically since the time these weavings were produced as has the countryside surrounding The Great Wall of China. The weavings are now quite sought after collectable items.

The Bund (Waitan) also called Zhongshan Road, is an historic centre in Shanghai recognised by the harmonious blending of many western architectural styles. Different periods in architecture's history are represented by a reported seventeen different styles of varying heights lining the 1.5 km stretch of Zhongshan Road and the Huangpu River. Today, the Bund is referred to as a "Museum of International architecture". Prominent in the two silk weavings featuring the Bund, are examples of buildings in the renaissance, gothic, art deco, and baroque styles.

The term 'bund' is derived from an Anglo-Indian word for 'embankment along a muddy waterfront'. The Bund was the site of the earliest foreign settlement after Shanghai opened one of five Treaty Ports in the Treaty of Nanjing that ended the Opium War of 1842. A British company opened an office along the waterfront in 1846 and the Bund became an example of the foreign presence in Shanghai. By the late 1800s-early 1900s, the Bund was the financial and political centre for the international community living in Shanghai at that time. Many banks, businesses, newspaper offices and consulates of most countries were established along the Bund.

The Communist victory of 1949 saw the decline in the Bund as foreigners left Shanghai and the Chinese government took over the buildings to house their own banks and offices. The Bund survived largely unscathed and today is recognised for its heritage value. Significant restoration of key buildings has been undertaken and attempts are being made to attract back some of the corporations who constructed the buildings.

The Bund is a popular attraction with both locals and tourists. With its tree-lined promenade and successful blending of many architectural styles, the Bund as depicted in these hand painted silk weavings, is significantly different from the skyline of the Bund of the 21st century.

This hand painted silk jacquard woven picture features images of the Bund and the Huangpu River. The picture shows a southward view. Clearly visible in the distance is the clock tower of Customs House, 1927, the Peace Hotel, built in 1906, with its green steeple roof and to the right of the hotel, the Bank of China building, built in 1926.

This hand painted silk jacquard woven picture depicting a northward view of The Bund features images beginning second from the left; the China Merchants Bank, 1926 (originally the Bank of Taiwan, a Japanese bank), the Guilan Building, 1921 (originally the North China Daily News) and the Shanghai Textile Industry Bureau, 1924 (former Yokohama Species Bank) with the tree-lined promenade in the foreground.

Silk jacquard weavings were produced in large numbers in China from the mid to late 20th century as souvenirs. They are an interesting and characteristic form of tourist art and craft.

The donor worked for the Australian Trade Commission and had a number of postings in Asia including India in the late 1950s and late 1970s; Japan mid 1970s; Singapore mid 1970s and China in the early 1980s. He was accompanied by his wife.

The donor worked for the Australian Trade Commission and had a number of postings in Asia including India in the late 1950s and late 1970s; Japan mid 1970s; Singapore mid 1970s and China in the early 1980s. He was accompanied by his wife. This collection of silk weavings (3) was acquired from the Friendship Hotel in Shanghai c. 1983. The donor and his wife wanted the silk pictures as mementoes of a place they particularly enjoyed visiting.

Pictures (3), woven, silk / paint, maker unknown, Hangzhou, China, 1950-1983

Hand painted silk jacquard woven picture featuring an image of the Bund and the Huangpu River. The picture shows a southward view. Clearly visible in the distance is the clock tower of Customs House, the Peace Hotel with its green steeple roof and to the right of the hotel, the Bank of China building.

Hand painted silk jacquard woven picture depicting a northward view of The Bund features, beginning second from the left; the China Merchants Bank, the Guilan Building and the Shanghai Textile Industry Bureau with the tree-lined promenade in the foreground.

Hand painted silk jacquard woven picture depicting the Great Wall of China winding through mountainous terrain.

Made: 1950 - 1983

Picture (Bund and the Huangpu River) - black printing on left margin - Chinese characters: 'Zhongguo Hangzhou zhijin chang zhi gong fen' (Made by Hangzhou weaving factory. China) Chinese characters on right margin: 'Shanghai Waitan' (Shanghai Bund). 1004-169 and 42 x 92.

Picture (Bund street scape) - black printing on left margin - Chinese characters: 'Zhongguo Hangzhou zhijin chang zhi gong fen' (Made by Hangzhou weaving factory China), 31 x 47 and 1040-123. Chinese characters on right margin: 'Shanghai Waitan' (Shanghai Bund).

Picture (Great Wall of China) - black printing on left margin - Chinese characters: 'Zhongguo Hangzhou du jin sheng sizhi chang zhi' (Made by the Dujinsheng silk weaving factory, Hangzhou), 1023-159 and 42 x 62. Chinese characters on right margin: 'Wan li chang cheng' (Literal colloquial translation - The ten thousand, The Great Wall).

2007/44/4

1950 - 1983

1010 mm