Set Of Twelve 19Th Century Chinese Pith Paper Paintings
Stock No
1333-1344
2020
- £395.00 for the set
- €457 Euro
- $530 US Dollar
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Item Description
A charming and complete set of twelve 19th century Chinese pith paper paintings (historically referred to as "rice paper" paintings). Dating from the late Qing Dynasty (c. 1840–1880), these works were created in the studios of Canton (Guangzhou) specifically for the Western export market.
Each miniature leaf is painstakingly hand-painted in gouache, a medium that sits on the surface of the cellular pith to create a luminous, almost three-dimensional effect that remains remarkably bright over a century later.
The collection serves as a record of the period, featuring a diverse cast of characters including high-ranking officials, musicians and figures in courtly life.
The set is housed in the original Victorian-era cardboard presentation box with a glass lid.
The gouache pigments remain exceptionally vivid and saturated. As is characteristic of this fragile, organic medium, there are some natural fractures and peripheral chips to several of the pith sheets (as shown in the photographs), six of the twelve portraits have had repairs to the back . The original box shows typical age-related wear to the paper trim but remains structurally sound and provides excellent provenance.
Item Info
Seller
Seller Location
North Yorkshire, Yorkshire
Item Dimensions
H: 9.5cm W: 5cm
Period
Circa 1840-1880
Item Location
United Kingdom
Seller Location
North Yorkshire, Yorkshire
Item Location
United Kingdom
Seller Contact No
+44 (0)7879 460591
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