Over the summer, Yih-chuen has been exploring project-related resources and delving into catalog research in libraries. Her recent trip took her to the Bodleian Library in Oxford in October 2025, where she continued to study catalogs that are not available in Germany. So far, she has consulted over 50 catalogs in total to prepare for future research trips and to gain a better understanding of the use and the reception of Chinese decorated papers during the medieval period. Her catalog study has provided a range of intriguing samples that shed light on the diverse surface treatments and material techniques used in Chinese scrolls, fans, and other objects.
During her time in the UK, she also took the opportunity to visit Islamic art auction previews in London that coincided with her trip, and saw interesting artworks made with decorated papers.
Although there was no Chinese decorated paper on view, the eyecatcher of the Islamic art auction was a group of extraordinary South Asian paintings from the personal collection of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan on sale at Christie’s London. One highlight was a late 16th-century painting depicting a family of cheetahs in a rocky landscape from the early Mughal period. It is attributed to Basawan, a famous painter during Akbar’s reign. The painting was created on a piece of cloth, which is not a typical medium for Mughal paintings, and was further mounted with gold-flecked papers. On the contrary, silk has been extensively used for painting and calligraphy in China and Japan throughout history.
This trip has provided Yih-chuen with valuable insights into the literature on Chinese decorated paper and the broader context of decorated papers beyond China. Stay tuned for more information about her research in the UK.