Pair of Chinese Églomisé Portraits of Women, 19th Century

A pair of Chinese reverse glass painting representing women and a child in a garden pavillion. Original "Chinese Chippendale" framing. China for expo...

Two Chinese paintings of figures in court dress 19th century, opaque pigments on paper, each depicting a figure wearing robes decorated with dragon motifs on yellow-grounds. Pr...

A Collection of Five 19th Century Chinese Export Gouache Portraits on Pith Paper C.1850 Depicting Court Figures in Imperial Dress Framed and gla...

Antique Verre Eglomise Chinese Export reverse glass painting. Beautiful Chinese reverse glass painting of two women in a Chinese garden with a scroll. This painting is particularly vibrant and exquisite in color and detail. The wood frame painting...

Rare antique set of eight Chinese watercolors depicting women in various occupations executed in a traditional delicate style on pith. Presented in a gilt carved wood Asian style fra...

Mid-19th century pair of Chinese portraits painted on rice or pith paper. An official of the Qing dynasty and his wife, set in lushly detailed interiors. From symbols of authority to...

Chinese households honor their ancestors in private family rituals, invoking their spirits for long life, health, and prosperity. Commemorative portraits, which came into vogue in th...

Chinese Pheasants Yoshizawa Setsuan (1809-1889) Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk. Painting inscription: Setsuan Houyou Upper seal: Y...

Believing that the departed continue to hold influence over the lives of the living, many Chinese households honor their ancestors in private family rituals, invoking their spirits for long life, health, and prosperity. Commemorative portraits, which came into vogue in the late Ming and Qing dynasties, were commissioned specifically for ancestor worship and were believed to house the spirits of the deceased. When properly cared for, one's ancestors were believed to be a powerful source of honor, protection, and good luck. This pair of ancestor portraits was hand-painted in the late-19th century and beautifully depicts a Qing-dynasty couple. While some ancestral portraits offer a more stylized representation of one's ancestors, this particular pair is painted with incredible realism and life-like expressions. Rather than depict the pair in a regal hall wearing elaborate finery, the couple is shown in a quiet home environment, seated at either end of a square tea table. Their surroundings are minimal, practically undecorated, and they wear simple, matching blue silk robes. Two young children stand beside them, each trying to capture the attention of their grandparent. We love the painting's close attention to detail and the glimpse it offers of Qing-dynasty interiors - from the carved apron of the marble-top table to the red silk lotus slippers...

A 19th century Qing dynasty Chinese watercolor featuring a botanical scene. A broken branch suspended mid page features a striking butterfly atop a vivid reddish orange camellia flow...