Framed Chinese Pith Painting Watercolour of A Dignitary - 19thC Trays or organising baskets and household

or organising baskets and household essentials in a hallway or kitchen

the muted tones of its faded paint show signs of an interesting life

they were made to order and had to withstand a lot of punishment in transit

scrollwork detailing

Framed Chinese Pith Painting Watercolour of A Dignitary - 19thC Trays or organising baskets and householdThis excellent antique Chinese pith 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, a female Chinese dignitary can be seen wearing traditional garb. The status can be determined by the small feet just visible beneath the dress. Pith paper is the spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a