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Hello - I acquired the beautiful grayscale needlework shown in the attached photo images. I was told the surrounding text indicated it was made at a Silk factory in Zhejiang Province, but exactly where and when I do not know. The image is of the spire of Baochu Pagoda, Qian Chu, Zhejiang Province, built in 963, reconstructed - shortened - in 1933. It is to the north of the West Lake, atop Precious Stone Hill. It’s narrow base was the likely reason for making it shorter. I am hoping that buildings surrounding the pagoda will hopefully help date the image. Its dimensions are approximately 28 inches x 15 inches, or 71 cm x 38 cm. The needlework is amazing, including the use of shading in the sky to create the appearance of clouds. What looked like wrinkles at first, upon closer examination, was shading of colors in the silk thread. It is a beautiful piece and I hope to learn more about its history and age. Thank you. Namaste.

Your needlework is a Jacquard or machine-woven picture made by a plant in the Hangzhou area circa the 1930's I believe. The characters at the sides of the picture usually identify the scene as well as the maker. If you can provide better images of those areas, I'll try to read.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Here are better views of the characters on the sides of the artwork. Hopefully you can tell me more of source and vintage of silkwork. The temple is brochure pagoda built originally in 963. Thank you. Peace.

Such photography-based Jacquard-type weavings of tourist attractions in the Hangzhou and West Lake environs have come up in the forum before and generally seem to date to the period before World War II and the 1936 Japanese invasion of Japan. A date of circa 1930 would be reasonable, I believe.

Bill H.

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