This excellent Chinese painting is painted on pith paper and dates from the 19th century. Pith paintings were painted in China for the European export market which was enjoying a fascination with all things Chinese and Chinoiserie. Here, an official scene plays out with two characters in traditional dress, one of which is armed.
Pith paper is the spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called Tetrapanax Papyrifera, native to southwest China. Pith is incredibly fragile and as such, many of these paintings have not survived.
Framed in a simple metallic gold frame. Note the historic damage to the top center of the paper. Pith paintings were made in a wide varietly of qualities. This one is of a superior quality to most pith paintings.
From China
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