First, a history lesson: most of us think that 'made in China' is a fairly new phenomenon. Not so. I just finished a book called The Chinese Lady by Nancy E Davis, who is a curator for The Smithsonian. It is the true story of the first Chinese woman in the United States. Trade with China began in the 1830's and an entrepreneur of Chinese goods brought a 19 year old Chinese woman named Afong Moy to 'represent' his items. Afong Moy was not her real name, no one knows it or exactly why her family allowed her to come. She might have been sold by her father as China was experiencing an economic downturn. No one knows exactly the whole story about her but after she outlived her 'usefulness' to the merchant, she lived in a New Jersey poor house and eventually PT Barnum acquired her and she performed as a side show with General Tom Thumb. People were mostly interested in her bound feet, which she was forced to display many times over, even to President Andrew Jackson. Needless to say, she was basically a slave and no one knows what happened to her after about 1860 or when or where she died. I read this book because I attended a play about her last Spring and really wanted to know more. Very sad story, but the play imagines that she might have become more confident and outspoken. She was supposed to have returned to China, but there is no evidence that she did.
I cut the lanterns out of silver mirror cs, added gold thread hanging from three fabric brads and used some of my Victorian ephemera, some vintage and some reproductions. I used a few pieces that Polly gave me recently (yay Polly). The birthday and advertisement are vintage, as is the ATC size card with the little boy in the center. The cupids are from a Valentine, circa 1960. These lantern tags could be detached. Believe it or not, this was pretty fiddly, getting everything attached and neat looking. This isn't a card, it is too big.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020 GMT Views: 803
Favorited:2
Registered: November 7, 2006 Location: Willamette Valley Oregon Posts: 34503
Sat, Apr 18, 2020 @ 2:15 PM
Thanks for the back story. I value when something you see or read leaves you with wanting to know more. You certainly nailed the IC. It is a lovely take on the original. Those are big die cuts. The ornaments would be pretty on a Spring tree. I love how you took the die cuts and made them your own.
------------------------------ Susan~~~One4Joydaily I'm a FAN CLUB member, U? MY GALLERYof visual Delights MY BLOG
Registered: May 25, 2006 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 121995
Sat, Apr 18, 2020 @ 3:13 PM
I am so impressed with how Victorian this is, I tend to go rustic with vintage so, all the sweet and clean is very neat to me.
What a sad story Jean, I have not heard of this lady one before.
Registered: August 21, 2007 Location: Wayland MA Posts: 105237
Sat, Apr 18, 2020 @ 3:14 PM
All those pieces are a wonderful addition to your story of "The Chinese Lady"!
------------------------------ Anne HarmonFS154, QFTD58, PROUD FAN CLUB MEMBER (photo of our Great Granddaughter Elise, just 6 months old) and me, even older.