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Antique pair of Chinese reverse painted pictures, the Emperor and Empress C 1920

About the Item

A very decorative rich and colourful pair of pictures are hand painted in reverse on panes of glass. This is a very difficult and highly skilled process where the finest detailing has to be painted first unlike traditional artwork. Both pictures show very similar images, one of the Emperor and the other of the Empress both wearing fabulous elaborately decorated silk gowns. They are seated on an impressive throne chair with white marble carved elephants on blue stands in the background standing on a detailed tiled floor. These superb paintings are displayed in their original carved hardwood frames with a black lacquered finish. The backs are panelled and held in place with neat rectangular wooden pegs. On the back, there appears to be old chalked detail from an auction or saleroom, Hinkley, lot 37 library. The frames have decorative cast brass hanging plates which support the pictures from the centre of the top edge. The pictures are in good original condition with some very minor age related marks. Chinese, circa 1920 Height 64cm x width 43cm x depth 20cm. How does reverse painting work? Unlike other painting techniques, in reverse painted glass, details are painted first. Working backwards next comes shading, and finally finishing with the background colours. We hope you enjoyed viewing these rare and unusual pictures that are close to 100 years old. They are true survivors to have lasted in such good condition. Please let us know if you need any further information or photographs. We are more than happy to help!
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25.2 in (64 cm)Width: 16.93 in (43 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
  • Style:
    Chinese Export (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1920
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Central England, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU6434239196162

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