Framed Watercolour Painting of A Dignitary on Pith Paper - 19th Century 19th Finish: Bleached surface with visible

Finish: Bleached surface with visible adze marks and natural patina

These fire bowls were skilfully made from re-purposed metal collected by nomadic tribes-people known as the "Gaduliya Lohars

inner frame 111 x 183 cms

altar tables like this were used for ancestor worship in China and Mongolia

5 x H13 cm

Framed Watercolour Painting of A Dignitary on Pith Paper - 19th Century 19th Finish: Bleached surface with visibleThis antique Chinese pith painting is painted on pith paper and dates from the 19th century. Pith paintings were painted in China for the European export market which was enjoying a fascination with all things Chinese and Chinoiserie. Here, a dignitary can be seen wearing traditional Chinese dress adorned with dragons and holding a ruyi (ceremonial scepter). Pith paper is the spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called tetrapanax