Chinese Pictorial Art. Illustrated by Coloured and Collotyped Reproductions from the Author's Collection with Descriptions and Notes on the History of Drawing, Writing, etc., Translated from Standard Chinese Authors. [AND:] Supplement Illustrating a Few Interesting Pieces of Bronze, Ceramics, and Jade.
Shanghai: Commercial Press, 1914. Two parts in one volume. Quarto. Pp. 324, iv; 74. Coloured frontispiece. Numerous collotype and coloured plates interleaved with text leaves. Each plate protected with a facing tissue-guard. Hardcover, bound in the original publisher's lovely silk-covered boards, sewn with threads in traditional Chinese style, upper board richly illustrated in gilt, and with gilt lettering. First edition. Includes list of dynasties; notes on the history and technique of Chinese drawing and painting; supplement of plates illustrating Chinese bronzes, ceramic art, and jade (separate title page). The silk covered boards are in very good to fine condition, a little discoloured (darkened) to the edges. Tiny split to the head of the spine. Internally In fine internal condition. Exceptionally well preserved, crisp plates. 280 x 220 mm (11 x 8¾ inches).
Collotype is one of the most accurate and attractive methods of photomechanical tonal printing processes. Highly skilled and expensive process, it cannot produce more than a limited number of impressions. It has been used for single-sheet prints and luxury portfolios, and since the 1950s has been abandoned by all except a few small specialist firms
Strehlneek owned an art gallery in Shanghai. In 1930, he was advertising this as the oldest establish firm dealing with art objects for the collector.