Saturday, 26 October 2013

Envelope lining 3

This example of an envelope lining is somewhat different from the previous examples; Its pattern does not appear to be composed of wiggly lines, but rather of a form of repeat pattern:


Another unusual thing is that the paper appears to be printed from letterpress ( i.e from a process analogous to using a stamp) , as opposed to lithography or offset ( as in the previous envelopes). We may see below the characteristic blobby effect of letterpress, known as "ink squash" ( particularly evident towards the bottom ends of the shapes)



Monday, 21 October 2013

Wrapping paper

The following sheet of wrapping paper is somewhat of an oddity. It is printed on an extremely thin stock ( roughly 10 lb. paper), resembling a form of calendared tissue paper, a odd choice for a wrapping paper.
Another oddity is the design. The above example is the only example of wrapping paper that I have seen that does not depict something like flowers or puppies, but rather is an abstract design. It is hard to say what the maker was intending this paper to represent ( perhaps marble?), or if it was intended to resemble anything at all.

If anything can be said of this paper, it is printed. However, in the dark areas of the paper, we find a curious pattern:
How this pattern came to be I have no idea.

Saturday, 12 October 2013

Envelope lining- 2

Here is another lining of a recent envelope, which was sent from the United Kingdom


Much like the previous examples, the pattern used is formed from fine lines. However, the pattern used here appears to be more complicated than the previous examples.

Monday, 7 October 2013

Tiger skin paper ( 虎皮纸) -1

Yet another form of Chinese decorated paper is known to the Chinese as 虎皮纸-- Tiger-skin paper. The paper is a form of sprinkled paper, with ist chief feature being white spots sprinkled on a ground colour. Judging from the appearance of the paper, the spots would have been made by sprinkling a caustic substance ( perhaps potash) onto dyed paper. As the potash would cause the dyes to decolourize, a pattern of white spots would form.
The form of the spots on the pattern varies widely, in some cases, they look like little starbursts. in others, like here, the maker appears to have allowed the chemical to flow, creating streaks. 

Saturday, 5 October 2013

Chinese decorated paper - 4

Here is yet another example of Chinese decorated paper. Like the last few examples, it is manifestly an imitation of cloth, in this case some form of embroidery, with a pattern of cranes and squiggly lines in white on a dark background.
 
This example would find particular use as an inexpensive substitute of silk for the framing of paintings, or the lining of boxes.