These drawings are a fine example of Chinese export painting (Pith Paper Paintings), created between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries (Late Qing Dynasty period). Although commonly referred to as “rice paper,” the support is actually the pith of Tetrapanax papyrifer, a velvety material that absorbs color, creating an almost three-dimensional and luminous effect.
Lot of 5 Antique Chinese Paintings on Pith Paper – Qing Dynasty
Description of the Work: A refined collection of five frames containing ten hand-painted scenes (two per frame) on pith paper. These works were created in workshops in Canton and Hong Kong for Western travelers on the “Grand Tour,” eager to bring fragments of the life and culture of the Celestial Empire back to Europe.
Subjects Depicted: The set is particularly interesting for the variety of themes covered, which offer a comprehensive insight into Qing society:
Court Scenes and Dignitaries: Female figures in ceremonial dress (Pao) with elaborate hairstyles and jewelry, and male figures in official attire.
Daily Life and Crafts: An elderly street vendor with a typical balance scale and a young woman serving tea.
Arts and Entertainment: A musician playing the Guqin (Chinese zither) and a figure under a parasol in a rock garden.
Military Subjects: A warrior on horseback holding an imperial banner with a dragon and a figure with a spear.
Technical Details:
Technique: Watercolor and tempera on pith paper.
Support: Paper with a natural amber tone, typical of organic aging.
Style: Characterized by bright colors (Prussian blue, malachite green, carmine red) and extraordinary attention to detail in the clothing and hairstyles.
Condition: The works are in good overall condition considering their intrinsic fragility.
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SILVER Seller in La-Spezia, Italia
