Incredible Journeys: Weavers In High Demand in Colonial America

Friday, July 02, 2004

Weavers In High Demand in Colonial America

Williamsburg weaver

Williamsburg weaver, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

The middle colonies attracted Dutch spinners and weavers, despite the prohibition against textile manufacture by Dutch West Indian Co, owners of "New Netherland". Pennsylvania held English, Welsh, Irish, Dutch, German, and Quaker settlers with textile manufacturing based in Philadelphia and Germantown; land was given to professional weavers to induce them to come to the colonies.

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Artist/Historian George S. Stuart Honors Olympics with Manchu Figures

To honor the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Gallery of Historical Figures is hosting the highly-acclaimed Manchu Dynasty Historical Figures® of sculptor and historian George Stuart. Until now, the unique 26-piece group could only be seen in museum exhibits. "What better time to recognize recent Chinese history and to share a westerner's view of it?" said Stuart.

The Manchu Dynasty collection begins with Nurachi, who defeated the ailing Ming Dynasty in 1616 and ends in 1967 with the death of Pu Yi, the last emperor. The 350-year interval is represented by emperors, other royalty, courtesans, warlords, military, reformers, peasants and more. Pictured here is the ill-fated Taiping Emperor Hung Hsiu Ch'üan, self-acclaimed "Brother of Christ".

To assure maximum possible historical accuracy, Stuart collaborated with LU Zhengliang Arts Studio in Suzhou, China on many of the Manchu Historical Figures. LU located and studied many of the original robes and then embroidered the quarter-scale designs on specially selected fabrics.

I was privileged to design the website for artist/historian George Stuart's Gallery of Historical Figures. Mr. Stuart's meticulously detailed historical figures reflect his dedication to accuracy and obvious passion for his subjects.