From Deities To Dragon Boats
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday June 4, 1997
Keith and Nancy Taylor's Chin Hua Galleries specialises in rare and striking Oriental items for people who want something different to decorate their home or office, writes KEN MATHERS .
A SHIPMENT of Oriental works of art and antique furniture has just arrived at Keith and Nancy Taylor's Chin Hua Galleries, where the doors are open seven days a week.
The Taylors are celebrating 21 years in business - the first nine in the city and the last 12 in a three-storey building in Crows Nest.
They began as collectors and became so intrigued they decided to set up their own business.
The knowledge they have gleaned during many visits to China has enabled them to discuss the origin and background of individual pieces they sell.
Their showrooms are packed with rare and striking items - fierce-looking dragons, exquisite jade sculptures, colourful enamel-on-copper cloisonne' vases and artefacts, large-as-life figures in copper and bronze, Mongolian incense burners, ceramics, warriors' swords in ornamental scabbards, lacquerware, paintings, screens and scrolls.
Many items originally adorned temples and the homes of wealthy Chinese families.
At a glance, it is obvious that Chin Hua caters for people who want something different to decorate their home or office.
There are many fine examples of cloisonne', including pieces priced for collectors on tight budgets.
"We have pre-revolution, early republic cloisonne' for as little as $295, such as an incense burner," Mr Taylor said.
Sitting beside an opium couch in Chin Hua, Mr Taylor warmed to the task of talking about the things he loves.
The blackwood opium couch, handcarved with Chinese dragons, was probably first owned by a wealthy Chinese man who reclined on it while puffing on his opium pipe, he said.
Sorry, it's already been sold, but don't bother phoning the police because the new owner would only see it as an outstanding piece of Chinese craftsmanship.
Opening a display cabinet, Mr Taylor produced a sculpture of the legendary Taoist god of longevity, named Shou.
Hand-carved in celedon green jade more than 100 years ago, Shou is smiling broadly as he wraps a robe around his body.
Why the big grin?
"The belief is that he will give the owner a long life," said Mr Taylor.
"It's like buying a life (assurance) policy, but once you have paid for him there are no more premiums."
It was Mr Taylor's turn to smile.
"This would be the only piece like this in the world. It would look great in an entrance hall, but you could put him anywhere."
In contrast, another jade piece at Chin Hua depicts a snarling figure with Dracula-like fangs.
"He's a monster - part mythical and part human - a thing to frighten away the devils which may threaten you," said Mr Taylor.
Displaying a white jade carving of the goddess of mercy, Kwan Yin, seated in a grotto, Mr Taylor said it would have taken many months to carve.
"She is absolutely beautiful, and from the position of her hands clasped together, she is blessing you," he said.
"Feel the weight of it. Jade is a heavy, dense stone."
Another jade piece depicted an elephant with a boy riding on his back.
"Jade is fast disappearing. They don't carve things like this today," Mr Taylor said.
Moving around his showrooms, Mr Taylor found beauty in a bronze cooking pot with three shapely legs.
"Cooking vessels like this go back to 1200 BC," he said.
"The legs are high because the pot was designed to sit on a coal fire while the food was cooking in it.
"It's a utility vessel, but the value lies in the sheer elegance of the design."
A dragon boat made of silvered copper was designed to drive away evil spirits.
"With this in your house, you could live to 103," Mr Taylor confided, again with his inscrutable smile.
Chin Hua Galleries is on the corner of Pacific Highway and Alexander Street, Crows Nest, phone 9957 2558.
© 1997 Sydney Morning Herald
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