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Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850
Sold by London Fine Antiques
sold SA1177893
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

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Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850

19th century
Sold 19 February 2026 · London Fine Antiques
This “Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850” found a buyer.

It was listed by London Fine Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Chinese Export ArtQing Dynasty PaintingAntique Chinese Artwork Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This is an antique pith painting. An Oriental, framed watercolour figural pair from the Qing dynasty, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. A fine example of Chinese artistry, showcasing superb detail and rich colour upon traditional pith paper.

Fascinating pair of costume studies depicting Imperial court figures in ceremonial attire

Painted upon Tetrapanax papyrifer, colloquially known as pith paper - prized for its delicate translucency

Exceptional colour and fine brushwork, a hallmark of mid 19th century Chinese export art

Presented within a tasteful later frame, adding contrast and refinement to the composition

Mounted behind clear, bright glass, ensuring preservation and clarity of detail

Original London specialist dealer’s label to the reverse, providing collector provenance

Mounting wire affixed to the rear for ease of hanging in display

This is a captivating antique pith painting, rich in Qing dynasty character and cultural artistry. Delivered ready to display.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 51cm (20'')

Max Depth: 2cm (.75'')

Max Height: 39.5cm (15.5'')

Individual Panel Width: 11.5cm (4.5'')

Individual Panel Height: 23.5cm (9.25'')

Physical Dimensions
Height
39.5cm (15.55")
Width
51cm (20.08")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Pith Painting to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1177893
Dealers Internal Reference
25625
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is an antique pith painting.
“
An Oriental, framed watercolour figural pair from the Qing dynasty, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
London Fine Antiques

A fine example of Chinese artistry, showcasing superb detail and rich colour upon traditional pith paper.

fig 1. An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background.
fig 1. Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850

Fascinating pair of costume studies depicting Imperial court figures in ceremonial attire

Painted upon Tetrapanax papyrifer, colloquially known as pith paper - prized for its delicate translucency

Exceptional colour and fine brushwork, a hallmark of mid 19th century Chinese export art

fig 2. An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background.
fig 2. Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850

Presented within a tasteful later frame, adding contrast and refinement to the composition

Mounted behind clear, bright glass, ensuring preservation and clarity of detail

Original London specialist dealer’s label to the reverse, providing collector provenance

fig 3. An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background.
fig 3. Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850

Mounting wire affixed to the rear for ease of hanging in display

This is a captivating antique pith painting, rich in Qing dynasty character and cultural artistry. Delivered ready to display.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 51cm (20'')

Max Depth: 2cm (.75'')

Max Height: 39.5cm (15.5'')

Individual Panel Width: 11.5cm (4.5'')

Individual Panel Height: 23.5cm (9.25'')

Height
39.5cm (15.55")
Width
51cm (20.08")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Pith Painting to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1177893
Dealers Internal Ref
25625
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 13
Archive I An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850

Archive II An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View II
Archive III An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background.
Archive V An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View V
Archive VI An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View VI
Archive VII An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View VII
Archive VIII An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View VIII
Archive IX An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View IX
Archive X An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View X
Archive XI An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View XI
Archive XII An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View XII
Archive XIII An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 950
Items Sold 5,639
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
950
Sold
5,639
An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background.
Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850
Ref: SA1177893
An antique framed pair of Chinese export pith paintings depicting traditional figures in colourful robes against a neutral background.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFramed Painting
  • Period19th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty Export
  • MaterialPith paper, watercolour, silk, wood, glass
  • ColourMulticolour
  • MotifsHand-painted figures, Traditional costumes, Silk mounts, Period framing
  • SizeH 39.5 cm (16 in) x W 51 cm (20 in) x D 2 cm (1 in)

FAQs

Pith paintings are delicate watercolours created on a spongy paper-like material made from the pith of the Tetrapanax papyrifer plant. They were predominantly produced in southern China, particularly Guangzhou, during the 19th century primarily for the Western export market.

Artists used vibrant gouache and watercolour pigments applied directly onto thinly sliced pith sheets. These pieces were often mounted on export silk borders and framed within traditional wooden frames to protect the fragile substrate.

Authentic pieces exhibit a characteristic velvety, luminous texture on the pith surface, which has a slight springiness when touched. Hand-painted details, natural pigment oxidisation, and period framing techniques help confirm their nineteenth-century origin.

Such historical artworks suit traditional study spaces, libraries, or eclectic gallery walls where they add cultural depth. Neutral wall backgrounds allow the delicate colours of the figures to stand out without visual competition.

Pith is extremely sensitive to moisture, humidity, and ultraviolet light. These artworks must be framed under conservation-grade UV-filtering glass and kept away from direct sunlight and damp environments to prevent fading and cracking.
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