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Early 19th Century Chinese Botanical Butterfly Watercolor on Pith Paper

Description
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 flower with a small beetle crawling from the leaves below. Framed in gilt and dark brown velvet complimenting the vivid palette.

This type of Chinese painting, often referred to as an export painting, was created as a souvenir for travelling westerners throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, being both easier to transport and less costly than an oil painting. The uniform robustness of pith paper, cut directly from the dense wood of a tree native to the Ginseng family, allowed incredibly delicate and rich depictions of landscapes and botanical subjects.

Origin:	China
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Watercolour, Pith paper
Condition:	Good. Marking and creasing to the surface of the paper due to age. Some chipping to the gilt around the frame.
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	253415