Tianjin Carpets Import and Export Corporation
Carpet, City of Melbourne
below crest: VIRES ACQUIRIT EUNDO
Commissioned by David Wang and Co. and presented to the City of Melbourne, 1984
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection
Carpet, Tianjin, David Wang, Coat of Arms, City of Melbourne, China Insight, 1984
Summary
120 line pure wool hand-knotted and sculptured carpet with City of Melbourne Coat of Arms in centre. Gift from sister city, Tianjin.
David Wang and Co. imported traditional handicrafts from Tianjin and was the Australian agent for Tianjin Carpets Import and Export Corporation in the late 1970s for about 10 years. During this time, the Melbourne Tianjin sister city relationship was established. Having existing trade links with Tianjin, the company played a role in establishing the relationship. Mark Wang travelled to Tianjin with a delegation led by Des Bethke (Town Clerk) to assist in establishing the relationship that led to a number of early cultural exchanges – one being a large exhibition about Tianjin held in the Town Hall.
In 1984 David Wang and Co. commissioned a carpet from Tianjin and gifted it to the City of Melbourne.
