Tempera on pith paper. Chinese production, Canton, Qing period, circa 1860. Collection of twenty-eight paintings depicting Chinese courtiers, literati, and merchants. Originally, they were kept in an album, but here they are presented instead in a beautiful frame, decorated with floral-patterned embroidered fabrics. Pith paper is a thin and translucent material derived from the pith of the Tetrapanax papyrifer tree, or "pith plant," native to China and Taiwan. Pith became part of pictorial use to meet the growing demand for small, inexpensive, and easily transportable souvenirs, following the massive growth of trade with China in the first quarter of the 19th century. Because many were sold in albums and thus protected from light, they retain their vivid colors even today.
Product Condition:
Product in good condition, shows minor signs of wear. We try to present the real state as completely as possible with photos. If some details are not clear from the photos, the description is valid.
Frame Dimensions (cm):
Height: 105
Width: 155
Depth: 5
ARAROT0294498
