Lifetime of Globetrotting Leads to Impressive Curation of Photos, Artifacts, Textiles & More


On the Auction Block | PUBLISHED 09.29.20 | Jennifer Ventresca
a photo from Barbara Paul's  | BRG

Rhythmic drums beat for dancers arrayed in gorgeous bead encrusted and artfully embroidered tribal raiment. Gentle waves lap against the sides of modest fishing boats tethered along the coast while weathered hands mend nets. Distant echoing roars of lions waking from slumber interweave with the trumpeting of elephants during the waning hours of the day while local tribes people prepare their harvest festival. These are but a smattering of the seductive sights and sounds which lured globetrotter and regionally renowned photographer, Barbara Paul to explore remote and exotic locales throughout the world alongside her devoted husband, Roland.

Travels, Experiences, & Exhibitions

BRG Blog

Long before the advent of smartphones and computers, these two amazing people sought to sojourn in remote villages and regions on a quest to experience the most diverse and untouched cultures in outlying venues in Namibia, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Oman, Benin, Togo, Petra, Laos, Sri Lanka, India, Eastern Tibet, Mongolia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Mali. Over the course of almost 40 years (beginning the 1980s and continuing through the 2010s) the couple had the most amazing opportunity to travel and experience a vast array of cultures in over 50 different countries. It was during these travels that Barbara began to curate her extensive personal collection of textiles, works of art, and artifacts of the many peoples and remote recesses of the world this dynamic couple visited, as well as develop her skill as a talented photographer.

It was, perhaps, the most secluded regions of the world which captured the Pauls' imagination and hearts, as well as forever connected them to the people they met. The couple traveled to these isolated and "off the beaten track" countries, provinces, and villages in the hopes of witnessing and experiencing first-hand, the various indigenous peoples and their tribal rituals and customs before those groups were encroached upon by modern-era hegemony.

Barbara's love of photography and flair for capturing the colorful textiles, costumes, fashion, jewelry, and centuries-old traditions and routines of the peoples she met were widely featured in a variety of gallery exhibitions in Connecticut and New York including: The Tibet House US, Gallery Vietnam, Black Rock Art Center, the Thomas J. Walsh Gallery at the Quick Center at Fairfield University, Earthplace of Westport, and the Fairfield University Downtown Bookstore, as well as public libraries in Ridgefield, Rye, Norwalk, Westport, New Haven, and Darien. Her passion for sharing the regions, festivals, dress, customs, and traditions of her subjects culminated in gallery exhibitions such as:

“Voodoo, Villages, Festivals: Ghana, Benin & Togo”

"Traditions of India"

"The Samburu of Kenya"

'The Amazing Himba People of Namibia'

"Tribal Eritrea"

"Theyyam Ritual Dance -- India"

"In the Spirit of Animals" (a joint effort with two others)

"Rhythms of Rural Asia"

"The Romance of Sri Lanka"

"Grasslands of Eastern Tibet: Nomads, Festivals & Monasteries"

BRG Blog

In addition to their travels, the Pauls frequently invited UN Ambassadors of the countries they visited to attend the gallery openings and became good friends with those dignitaries and their families from Sri Lanka and Namibia, among others. Barbara's legacy was further honored, earlier this year, when the American Museum of Natural History accepted pieces from her personal collection for future exhibition, along with select photos documenting Barbara's travels and experiences.

The Barbara Paul Estate Collection

It is in this same vein of sharing her curated collection of cultural treasures from all over the globe, that BRG is pleased to offer the Estate and Lifetime Collection of Barbara J. Paul to the public in an eclectic online auction. This collection features a unique and wide-ranging array of textiles, tribal and regional clothing, headdresses, jewelry, porcelains, fine art, and more.

Clothing

BRG Blog

⬅︎ A PAIR OF CHINESE LATE QING DYNASTY EMBROIDERED SILK PLATFORM SHOES

Item #: 128059
In pastel blue, pink, green and yellow tones with overall floral motifs and moths. White lining. White painted heels (H. 1 3/4") 3" x 7"

A LATE TIBETAN WOVEN & EMBROIDERED
MANTRA FIVE-PART CROWN ➡︎

Item #: 128016

Decorated with gold couched thread with colorful images of the Buddha. Mounted on black silk in a museum quality gilt frame.

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ CUTE ASIAN CHILD'S EMBROIDERED ROBE DECORATED WITH BIRDS & ANIMALS

Item #: 144124

White fabric with bright dense multi-colored embroidery overall with birds, elephants, and flowers. On a weighted lucite stand. L. 22", W. 31" with sleeves.

CLASSIC PALESTINIAN COLORFUL
EMBROIDERED COTTON LADIES ROBE ➡︎

Item #: 144166

Black cotton with green cotton shoulders, top back, and strips on the sleeves. Multicolored embroidered bodice panel and sleeve panels with geometric motifs. The long sides and hem embroidered in red striped floral patterns. L. 54", W. shoulders 15", L. sleeve 19"

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ CHINESE LATE QING DYNASTY
IMPERIAL FEMALE CHILD'S ROBE

Item #: 126708

A yellow silk ground embroidered with a silk five-clawed dragon with celestial pearl; wave hem and with stylized flowers mounted in a plexiglass shadow box frame. 47" x 28"

Jewelry & Accessories

A LATE TIBETAN PRIEST'S HAT ➡︎

Item #: 128073

Yellow and gold lacquered large brimmed Tibetan priest's hat with silvered metal and coral ball finial along with 12 smaller coral accents. 14” x 12”

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ FINE TURKOMAN SILVER ALLOY & GILT PECTORAL NECKLACE WITH AGATES

Item #: 143523

A classic Turkoman diamond shaped pendant in silver alloy with gilt scrolled chased decoration, here with an openwork border. The corners and center set with agate cabochons. Multiple tiered chased silver alloy pendants and bells, the center one with a red glass stone. On a chain with wrapped wire sections. L. 18"

ANTIQUE TIBETAN SILVER & METAL HINGED
PURSE SET WITH STONES ON A CHAIN ➡︎

Item #: 128039

A small shaped hinged purse in leather on a curved silver metal base. Applied silver plaques on the front and back with scrolled and floral motifs. The front set with turquoise, coral and coral tone cabochons. The scrolled silver top frame with loop for the long two part chain attached to a ring. With a short leather cord. bag W. 6 1/4", H. 3 1/4", chain L. 18"

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ TRIBAL BEADED NECKLACE

Item #: 143545

Multiple strands of coral tone and black beads linked by bars. With brass bell-shaped pendants and white stone closure. On a white fabric mount. H. 16", W. 7"

VINTAGE TURKOMAN LEATHER
DECORATED SHOULDER PURSE ➡︎

Item #: 143541

Brown leather purse on a long wide shoulder strap. The purse with chased decorated gilt silver alloy plaque set with agate cabochons on the front. With a tie closure. The long straps set with chased gilt silver alloy plaques with agates alternating with sections with small silver alloy bosses. H. 24", purse H. 6 1/4", W. 6 3/4"

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ ELABORATE TRIBAL CHAINED
PECTORAL ORNAMENT

Item #: 143524

A torque neck piece with chased floral decorated attached ends. Multiple attached chains in a layered banded pattern. Two blue and green enameled sunburst elements along the front above three pendant center floral chased metal plaques with scrolled tops. Mounted on a peach tone faux suede panel. H. 15 3/4", W. 9", collar 8 x 7"

Textiles & Decorative Art

AN EXTRAORDINARY CHINESE
QING DYNASTY WOVEN TEXTILE ➡︎

Item #: 143566

A large panel in pale yellow silk with blue gnarled trees with white and blue flowers. A pale blue grassy landscape below and a white bat flying above. With a blue and white floral vine border. Framed: 24 1/2 x 42 1/2"

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ FINE LARGE SCALE INDIA HINDU
THEMED GOUACHE PANEL

Item #: 143592

A beautiful landscape with blue rolling grassy hills and a procession of male an female attendants with two deities. One female attendant pours an offering in front of the blue god. The scene below with male and female figures, white bulls and several brown monkeys. Beautiful white pavilions and a temple appear above the hills. Floral borders. Wood frame 44 1/2 x 45"

FINE INDO-PERSIAN PAINTED PAGE ➡︎

Item #: 143556

A painted manuscript page. Male figures on horseback are in a hilly landscape below a deep blue sky. The center figure's horse wears a beautiful deep blue decorated blanket. Texts appear above and below right. Ecru borders.

BRG Blog

BRG Blog

⬅︎ TWO FINE SOUTH ASIAN BLACK & RED LACQUERED & DECORATED LIDDED JARS

Item #: 143517

Circular with tall lids with fine decoration overall- top, bases and sides. Both with medallions or roundels with animals and monsters. One red and black, the other red, green and black. Each with inscriptions and two shallow interior decorated bowls. H.9", Diam. 9", H. 9 1/2', Diam. 9 1/2"


FINE SILVER ASIAN SHALLOW BOWL ➡︎

Item #: 128166

Eastern shallow bowl in high relief, with floral and pendant leafy bands. With two back- to- back elephant heads in the center roundel on the base. 5” diameter x 1 1/2” high. 3.8 OZT.

BRG Blog

BRG BlogBarbara was born in New York and was a graduate of Wellesley College. She received a Masters, Business Administration from NYU. After working for many years as a teacher in the private school system, she eventually segued into commercial banking. By the 1980s, Barbara began pursuing her interest in photography and extensive travel with her husband, Roland.

A resident of Westport, CT, she became an avid supporter of local arts and was a member of the Fairfield Arts Council, the Westport Arts Center, and the Stamford Arts Council. She remained active in the arts until her recent passing.

The Estate and Lifetime Collection of Barbara J. Paul online auction runs through October 14, 2020. To view sale details and lots, please click here.


Keywords: Barbara Paul, Barbara J. Paul, globetrotter, world traveler, photographer, curated collection, Wellesley College, Fairfield Arts Council, Westport Arts Center, Stamford Arts Council, American Museum of Natural History, the Tibet House US, Gallery Vietnam, Ridgefield Library, Westport, Roland Paul

Lifetime of Globetrotting Leads to Impressive Curation of Photos, Artifacts, Textiles & More. Black Rock Galleries provides high end estate liquidation services through online estate auctions and a 50,000 sq ft designer showroom. estate liquidator, estate sale, online auction, antiques, fine art, liquidation, clean outs, auction, consignment, interior design, fine jewelry, collectibles, appraisals, estate appraisals, estate services, decor, furniture, furniture consignment, antique center, consignment shop. We offer appraisal services and specialize in fine art, jewelry, antiques and decorative arts. Sell with us. Black Rock Galleries is the tri-state's largest estate liquidator serving New England and the greater New York City area. We are the trusted source for expert appraisals, auction services, estate sales, and consignments. Black Rock Galleries is the east coast's largest and most trusted estate liquidator, with locations in Connecticut, greater Boston, MA and Raleigh, NC, Fairfield, Southport, Apex, TX. We are the best source for expert appraisals, auction services, estate sales and consignments. We have served thousands of families and estates with compassion, professionalism and expertise. BRG works with attorneys, executors, realtors and families to bring the greatest return on personal and estate property in the current market. Our unique combination of services make us the easy choice to get the job done in a timely and stress-free manner. We are with you from the initial consultation to the final clean out. Our house-built online auction software platform offers clients a dynamic approach to liquidating their personal property. This venue is most successful in bringing the best return with the least amount of disruption for our clients. See our services page for a complete description of this offering. Lifetime of Globetrotting Leads to Impressive Curation of Photos, Artifacts, Textiles & More
|| Our Locations ||
Bridgeport, CT - Get Directions  |  Greenwich, CT - Get Directions  |  Waltham, MA - Get Directions  |  Cary, NC - Get Directions  |  Fairfield, CT - Get Directions  |  Southport, CT - Get Directions