Framed Chinese Pith Painting of a Flower Boat - Late 19thC Origin - Ersari 54 x 41 x 96

54 x 41 x 96 (wxdxh cms)

The 150 cm diameter table seats 6 - 8 persons

Length 45 cms

The softly worn surfaces

Two pairs of old Japanese bamboo shoji screens

Framed Chinese Pith Painting of a Flower Boat - Late 19thC Origin - Ersari 54 x 41 x 96This lovely antique Chinese gouache painting is of a Chinese flower boat from Canton. Painted on pith paper and dating from the 19th century, they were made for the European market which enjoyed a fascination with all things Chinese and Chinoiserie from the Georgian period onwards. Flower boats were mainly used as floating brothels by wealthy Chinese and visiting western traders and sailors. These flower boats were identifiable by their open front and