SPRING  2006 BILL OF LADING

 Handwritten no more….in old times, when The China Coast was located in Washington,D.C.’s Georgetown district, the  handwritten Bill of Lading was our way to announce the arrival of a new shipment and to talk about Asia-related events. But this is the time of internet and email and so we continue this old tradition via 21^st century  delivery systems. I plan to send out a Bill of Lading about four times a year, to clients as well as to  customers who have expressed an interest in things Asian. (If you do not wish to receive a Bill of Lading, please email me.)

 

The big news for the Year of the Dog is my newly designed website. The China Coast website was old, outdated and difficult to navigate. My son Christopher, who was born in the Year of the Dog, grew up in The China Coast gallery in Washington,D.C. He played in my downstairs rug room and is a veteran traveler to the Far East. Christopher  is beginning his graduate studies later this year - when he will be part of a newly created program specializing in German-American Business and Diplomacy - and I hired him to create a more interesting and friendly website. Let me know if you like the result.

 

What you may expect to find on The China Coast website:  Items for sale will be grouped in three categories: Arts & Antiques; China Coast Couture & Textiles; and Jewelry Designs. Most of you know that I also appraise oriental art and I have added some information about the appraisal process. Links have been added to museums with Asian art collections and to book stores specializing in Asian art. In the Exhibit & Reading Material section, you will find Asian art exhibits as I learn about them. Since I am eternally buying books, you will always see a few books that I found interesting and useful. Glossary  section ???

 

I am delving more into textiles because so many disappear and are no longer made. We have seen this happening with Chinese robes, and Japanese pieces are not far behind. The vintage jackets and kimono that were available by the dozens, are now sought after by designers.  Where else can you find the striking  designs, reminiscent of art deco patterns, presaging Pucci colors, together with some gold or lacquered thread, and applied in the resist dye fashion?  Japanese garments and fashion have changed dramatically and what we are seeing today has not been produced in a long time.  Whether you wear the pieces as they are  or modify them, you will be admired in your  one-of-a kind outfit! Yes, my friends and I wear most of the garments  I sell with the exception of fragile robes.

 

 Some of you have been my clients for a very long time – we started out together in Asia many moons ago. Finding a piece is still a thrill for me, not to mention a passion and obsession. If you find that you may want to dispose of a piece, please let me know. With the many fakes originating overseas, provenance information has become more important than ever before.

 

Be sure and look at the following featured treasures:

 JAPANESE FUKUSA

MIAO JACKET

ETC.