Pith paper is a fragile, velvety medium harvested from the pith of a Chinese plant rather than pressed wood pulp. Artists used it extensively in the nineteenth century for brightly coloured gouache paintings. Because the material is naturally delicate, these paintings require careful handling and preservation away from direct sunlight.

How should I display pith paintings?

Pith paintings need professional framing under UV-protective glass to prevent the pigments from degrading. Keep them away from high humidity and direct daylight to protect the fragile surface. Properly sealed frames ensure these historical works remain stable for generations.

Are these paintings from the Qing dynasty?

Many export paintings date from the Qing dynasty, particularly the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when international trade flourished. Makers produced various formats for foreign merchants visiting southern ports. Stylistic markers and subject matter often help align individual pieces with specific decades within this era.

What subjects appear in export art?

Common themes include maritime scenes featuring junks and Western ships, local trades, court figures, and botanical studies. These subjects were chosen to satisfy Western curiosity about Chinese life and landscape. Artists tailored compositions specifically to appeal to the tastes of foreign buyers returning home.