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ID #SA1235064
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£1,350
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Group of 21 Chinese 'Figural' Pith Paintings, Late Qing Dynasty (19th Century)
For sale by Buckingham Interiors
for sale €1,580     $1,715
£1,350
Buckingham Interiors

Buckingham Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2023
Browse dealers 77 items
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Group of 21 Chinese 'Figural' Pith Paintings, Late Qing Dynasty (19th Century)

19th century
Description

A superb and unusually large collection of 21 Chinese figural pith paintings, dating to the late Qing dynasty (c. 1880–1900). Finely executed in gouache on pith paper, each painting depicts courtly figures, attendants, musicians, craftsmen and individuals engaged in various occupations and daily activities. The colours remain vivid, with the characteristic raised pigment and fibrous pith texture clearly visible.

Presented in nine well‑matched frames, the group offers exceptional decorative impact and is ideal for interior designers, collectors of Asian art, or anyone seeking a cohesive wall display of Qing‑period export paintings.

Largest painting: 13 × 8.3 cm.

From a private Scottish collection in Dundee, assembled over 50 years by an avid Asian‑art collector (since 1975).

Condition: Excellent overall, with bright colours and minimal cracking typical of pith works. Frames clean and ready to hang.

Date of Manufacture

Buckingham Interiors has dated these Chinese Pith Paper Paintings to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Check ID 09645448
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques Date19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 125-180 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 19TH CENTURY:
Gouache on fibrous pith paper: Chinese export watercolours produced during the late Qing dynasty.
Costume and hairstyles: Manchu court attire and traditional dress before the 1911 Republic.
Natural ageing of the pith paper: light toning and subtle contraction around the edges.
Vivid mineral pigments: hand-mixed gouache used in nineteenth-century Canton export workshops.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1235064
Dealers Notes

If the item is postable, no problem just give me your postcode for a price.

All purchases are checked before dispatch to ensure every thing as described.

Any enquiries, please Whatsapp me on 07717344500

As with all antiques there may be marks minor knocks etc commensurate with age and part of their history, any traces of extinct worm will have been treated as a precaution and all images are a true likeness and descriptions accurate.

We do not accept returns.

Description
A superb and unusually large collection of 21 Chinese figural pith paintings, dating to the late Qing dynasty (c. 1880–1900).
“
Finely executed in gouache on pith paper, each painting depicts courtly figures, attendants, musicians, craftsmen and individuals engaged in various occupations and daily activities.
Buckingham Interiors

The colours remain vivid, with the characteristic raised pigment and fibrous pith texture clearly visible.

fig 1. A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames.
fig 1. Group of 21 Chinese 'Figural' Pith Paintings, Late Qing Dynasty (19th Century)

Presented in nine well‑matched frames, the group offers exceptional decorative impact and is ideal for interior designers, collectors of Asian art, or anyone seeking a cohesive wall display of Qing‑period export paintings.

fig 2. A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames.
fig 2. Group of 21 Chinese 'Figural' Pith Paintings, Late Qing Dynasty (19th Century)

Largest painting: 13 × 8.3 cm.

From a private Scottish collection in Dundee, assembled over 50 years by an avid Asian‑art collector (since 1975).

Condition: Excellent overall, with bright colours and minimal cracking typical of pith works. Frames clean and ready to hang.

Date of Manufacture

Buckingham Interiors has dated these Chinese Pith Paper Paintings to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09645448
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques dating19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 125-180 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 19th Century:
Gouache on fibrous pith paper: Chinese export watercolours produced during the late Qing dynasty.
Costume and hairstyles: Manchu court attire and traditional dress before the 1911 Republic.
Natural ageing of the pith paper: light toning and subtle contraction around the edges.
Vivid mineral pigments: hand-mixed gouache used in nineteenth-century Canton export workshops.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1235064
Buckingham Interiors
Buckingham Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2023

Happy to accept offers on any of the items I have for sale.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Buckingham Interiors Profile Page

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A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames.
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Archive I A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames.

Group of 21 Chinese 'Figural' Pith Paintings, Late Qing Dynasty (19th Century)

Archive II A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames. View II
Archive III A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames. View III
Archive IV A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Buckingham Interiors

Buckingham Interiors
Telephone 07717 344500
Location
Kent
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/buckinghaminteriors
Verified Since Apr 2023
Items For Sale 77
Items Sold 93
Buckingham Interiors
Buckingham Interiors
Verified Since Apr 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Kent, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/buckinghaminteriors
Verified
Apr 2023
For Sale
77
Sold
93
A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames.
Group of 21 Chinese 'figural' pith paintings, late Qing dynasty (19th Century)
Ref: SA1235064
A set of twenty-one framed nineteenth-century Chinese pith paper paintings depicting various figures in traditional Qing dynasty costume, mounted in dark frames.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaintings
  • Period19th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty
  • MaterialPith paper, Gouache, Wood, Glass
  • ColourMulticolour
  • MotifsTraditional Qing costume, Figural illustrations, Gouache on pith, Framed mounts

A collection of twenty-one Chinese figural pith paintings dating to the late nineteenth century, created during the late Qing dynasty. Each piece is executed in gouache on pith paper and depicts figures in traditional Qing costume, courtly scenes, musicians, and daily occupations, mounted within nine dark wood frames with cream-coloured mats and visible glazing. The gouache shows vibrant tones of blue, green, red, and gold, while the frames display simple rectangular mouldings with dark finishes. The largest painting measures 13 cm by 8.3 cm. This group suits a staircase wall or a gentleman's library, providing a cohesive display of historical Asian art for interior decoration.

FAQs

Originating during the nineteenth-century Canton export trade, pith paintings were souvenir artworks created on cellular tissue from the Tetrapanax papyrifer plant, depicting Chinese life, costume, and customs for Western trade.

Artists used opaque gouache watercolours applied directly onto thin slices of plant pith, which absorbed pigment deeply to produce a textured, translucent effect.

Authentic pieces frequently exhibit fine micro-fractures due to the brittle botanical substrate, hand-applied vibrant gouache pigments, and traditional Qing dynasty subject matter.

Group framed pith paintings together in a gallery wall formation to bring historical depth and intricate detail to corridors, staircases, or above modern cabinetry.

Keep pith artwork away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity, ensuring items are mounted behind UV-protective glass using acid-free matting.
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