Items Similar to A Group of twelve Courtiers
![[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER]. - Botanical Studies](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/a_14192/1683202071473/101715_20_master.jpg)
![[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER]. - Botanical Studies.](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/a_14192/1683133167630/107088_14_master.jpg)
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
UnknownA Group of twelve Courtiers1890's
1890's
About the Item
[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER].
Group of 12 Courtiers.
Mid to late nineteenth century.
12 hand painted water-colours on pith paper, pale blue silk borders, a few minor cracks and tears to rice paper as often. Framed and glazed, overall dimensions: 38.7cm by 27cm by 2cm.
A fine group of Chinese export watercolours showing courtiers.
Pith came into use for painting to satisfy the increasing demand for small, inexpensive and easily transported souvenirs, following the massive growth in the China Trade in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. Paintings in oils, on board and canvas were costly and difficult to carry home. Earlier and more prestigious export water-colours had often been on a larger scale and painted on fine Chinese paper or on paper imported from Europe. The albums of pith paintings (and later the little glass-fronted boxes) were inexpensive, light, easy to pack and gave the pictures some protection on the long voyage home. Because many were sold in albums and hence protected from the light, they retain their bright colours to this day.
Pith comes from the central column of spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called Tetrapanax Papyrifera, native to south-west China. It has had a variety of uses, some going back many centuries. At the imperial court both men and women wore coloured flowers made from pith in their hair. For use in painting, it is cut by hand with a knife into thin sheets from short lengths of the spongy tissue.
Because of the nature of pith and its cellular structure, the gouache used by the Chinese sat on the surface allowing fine detail and bright colour.
- Creation Year:1890's
- Dimensions:Height: 10.63 in (27 cm)Width: 15.24 in (38.7 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:Framed and glazed with glass.
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 972871stDibs: LU1419212261442
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1979
1stDibs seller since 2020
19 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER]. - Botanical Studies
Located in London, GB
[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER].
A Group of 10 Flowers and Butterflies.
mid to late nineteeenth century.
A fine group of Chines...
Category
Late 19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache, Rice Paper
![[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER]. - Botanical Studies](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/a_14192/1683202071473/101715_20_master.jpg?width=240)
[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER]. - Botanical Studies.
Located in London, GB
[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER].
Group of 12 flowers and insects.
Mid to late nineteenth century.
A fine group of Chinese export...
Category
Late 19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Rice Paper, Gouache
![[CHINESE EXPORT WATERCOLOURS ON PITH PAPER]. - Botanical Studies.](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/a_14192/1683133167630/107088_14_master.jpg?width=240)
Collection of Watercolour Designs for Silverware.
Located in London, GB
[ANON.]
Collection of Watercolour Designs for Silverware.
South Germany, [Late 19th century].
A series of 9 watercolours, each framed and glazed, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
Iris Kaempferi: No. 91 CHO-HIYEN
Located in London, GB
Iris Kaempferi: No. 91 CHO-HIYEN
Tokyo, Yoshinoen-Garden, circa 1910.
Hand-coloured woodblock print on handmade rice paper, numbered and captioned at top, outlined in ink. Framed in...
Category
1910s Naturalistic Still-life Prints
Materials
Watercolor, Rice Paper
Iris Kaempferi: No.36 YEDO-JIMAN
Located in London, GB
Iris Kaempferi: No. 36 YEDO-JIMAN
Tokyo, Yoshinoen-Garden, circa 1910.
Hand-coloured woodblock print on handmade rice paper, numbered and captioned at top, outlined in ink. Framed ...
Category
1910s Naturalistic Still-life Prints
Materials
Wood, Watercolor, Rice Paper
Iris Kaempferi: No. 58 SHU-FU-RAKU
Located in London, GB
Iris Kaempferi: No. 58 SHU-FU-RAKU
Tokyo, Yoshinoen-Garden, circa 1910.
Hand-coloured woodblock print on handmade rice paper, numbered and captioned at top, outlined in ink. Framed...
Category
1910s Naturalistic Still-life Prints
Materials
Wood, Watercolor, Rice Paper
You May Also Like
Vendedora By Diego Rivera
By Diego Rivera
Located in New Orleans, LA
Diego Rivera
1886-1957 Mexican
Vendedora
(Vendor)
Signed and dated (lower right)
Watercolor on rice paper
Diego Rivera stands among the most important artists of the 20th century...
Category
20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Rice Paper
Ten Framed 19th Century Chinese Pith Paintings of Courtly Entertainment
Located in London, GB
Ten Framed 19th Century Chinese Pith Paintings of Courtly Entertainment
Chinese, 19th Century
Height 29cm, width 41cm, depth 2cm
This striking suite of ten Chinese watercolours is p...
Category
Early 19th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Rice Paper
'The Dancers', French Late Mid Century Gouache on Textured Paper
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late Mid Century French watercolour and Gouache on handmade paper of a pair of dancers by Damien Hermellin. Signed and dated bottom right. Pres...
Category
1970s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Graphite and gouache on handmade paper: 'The Remains: 3'
Located in New York, NY
The Remains, A series of 10 works
An insect approaches a crumpled paper doily to eat what remains of a party. This series explores the moment when the trimmings become debris and ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache, Handmade Paper, Graphite
Graphite and gouache on handmade paper: 'The Remains: 1'
Located in New York, NY
The Remains, A series of 10 works
An insect approaches a crumpled paper doily to eat what remains of a party. This series explores the moment when the trimmings become debris and ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache, Handmade Paper, Graphite
Graphite and gouache on handmade paper: 'The Remains: 2'
Located in New York, NY
The Remains, A series of 10 works
An insect approaches a crumpled paper doily to eat what remains of a party. This series explores the moment when the trimmings become debris and ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache, Handmade Paper, Graphite
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Group Of Drawings
Groups Of Women Paintings
Cracking Art Group
Chinese Rice Paper
Antique Go Board
Chinese Rice Paper Painting
Chinese Court Paintings
1890s Cut Glass
Large Chinese Silk Painting
19th Century Chinese Painting On Silk
China Export Watercolour
Pith Paintings
Pith Paper
Chinese Pith Paintings
Antique Paper Knife
Hair Knife
Chinese Export Gouache
Flower Painting On Rice Paper