Oriental Frames

The concept of framing, creating elaborate settings to house and enhance a piece of artwork did not arise indigenously in Asia as it did in Europe. It was only adopted well after the advent of trade with the West, and even then, predominantly for the export trade. In Asia the ''framing'' of art was mostly confined to decorative borders incorporated into the art itself, as may be seen on Persian and Mogul miniatures and later, on some Japanese and Chinese paintings and prints, particularly some of the Japanese Ukiyo-e (wood-block prints) of the mid-to-late 19th century. However, for the export trade, frames were created using Asian interpretations of European designs (i.e. Chinoiserie) or frames decorated with Asian motifs. One early example of European style frames made in the East is the ''Namban'' (southern barbarian) shrines made in Japan for the Christian market during the Monoyama Period (A.D 1573-A.D.1615)

European trade was first established in China During the first part of the 16th century by the Portuguese and soon afterwards was extended to Japan with Nagasaki becoming the chief trading port in Japan and Macao in China. However, over the next three centuries these two countries would have vastly different relations, both political and economic, vis-à-vis the West. By the end of the 17th century the ''China Trade'' with Europe was flourishing. Ships were sailing back to Europe, their holds laden with Chinese Blue and White wares and the European trading firms were ordering huge amounts of porcelain decorated with designs and patterns chosen to suit European sensibilities. This trade continued unabated until the end of the 19th century. Porcelain was by no means the only Chinese product desired by the West. Other examples of wares exported from China included Canton or Peking enameled copper, and decorative fans, mostly produced in Canton, came into vogue in the late 19th century. (Japanese fans were produced in Nagoya, Kyoto, and Tokyo.)

In Japan, it was a different story. In order to establish and maintain political control and stability after approximately 100 years of civil war, the new Japanese government (The Tokugawa Shogunate) decide to seal off the country from all outside influences. Except for the Port of Nagasaki, where Chinese and Dutch merchants were permitted to conduct limited trade, Japan was effectively closed for the next two and one-half centuries.

At the beginning of the 19th century various European powers endeavored to persuade Japan to open her ports to the rest of the world. This was followed, in 1853, by the United States government sending a large naval force, under the command of Commodore Perry, to ''persuade'' the Japanese Government to open trading relations. Perry and his ''Black Ships'' forced the Tokugawa Shogunate to sign a treaty with America, opening two ports and allowing a limited amount of trade. The Europeans were not far behind, and within a few years trade treaties had been negotiated with England, Russia, The Netherlands, etc. Soon, western ideas flooded into Japan, influencing politics, industry, the military, etc. There was also a strong western influence on the arts of Japan. The influence in the arts, however, ran in both directions. While western ideas of Perspective and Realism influenced Japanese artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, the wood-block prints (Ukiyo-e) that went back to the West influenced many of the artists in Europe and America.

The Munn line of Chinese frames follows the western custom of incorporating traditional oriental motifs taken from art, furniture, etc. An example of this is the ''key'' design on our CH134 frame, which is very similar to the border design of the place mark found on Yi Hsing pottery. There is, however, one type of ''Asian'' frame that we produce that is a historical reproduction. This is the ''Chinese Export Frame'' or ''Chinnery''. This design loosely based on English/Louis XV models was produced in China, specifically for export to England. (Refer to catalogue section on English frames or styles CHINN118P and CHINN134P)