Framed Chinese Watercolour of Birds on Pith Paper - 19th Century Material - Sheesham Wood this niche has been finished

this niche has been finished in a soft blue paint

but in reality

The teak has developed a wonderfully warm patina with time

65 x 10 x 157 (wxdxh cms)

Framed Chinese Watercolour of Birds on Pith Paper - 19th Century Material - Sheesham Wood this niche has been finishedThis lovely antique Chinese gouache painting is painted on pith paper and dates from the 19th century. This was painted in China for the European market which was enjoying a fascination with all things Chinese and Chinoiserie. Pith paper is made from the spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called Tetrapanax Papyrifera, native to south west China. Pith is incredibly fragile. This old Chinese gouache painting has been framed in a later