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.