Chinese Pith Paper Painting - 19th Century Style - Teapot Crafted in Henan Province in

Crafted in Henan Province in Northern China circa 1910

The painting depicts the emblems of the eight taoist immortals which collectively represent happiness

These mythical beasts could be a metaphor for the reciprocal relationship between the Chinese Qing Empire & Tibet

From Shanxi province

Chinese Pith Paper Painting - 19th Century Style - Teapot Crafted in Henan Province inThis excellent 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. Pith paper is the spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called Tetrapanax Papyrifera, native to southwest China. Pith is incredibly fragile and as such, many of these paintings have not survived.