[A STUNNING CHINESE PERIOD COLOR-PAINTING, SHOWING WOMEN AT LEISURE AND PAINTING

[Canton? 1820-30's]. A framed and glazed hand-painted color ainting, frame:53.3 x 43.5 cm., matted painting: ca. 42.5 x 32.5 cm., very clean, superb example,faux bamboo wood frame, cryptomeria wood mat. A METICULOUS PAINTING IN FULL COLOR *** *** *** . . . A STUNNING PAINTING SHOWING CHINESE CONCUBINES . . . DRESSED IN ELABORATE SILK COSTUMES . . . WITH INTERIOR VIEWS OF THEIR APARTMENTS . . . PAINTED IN THE TYPICAL MING PERIOD STYLE *** THE PAINTING EPOCH: . This is a superb example of later Qing dynasty painting. The work was most likely done during either the reigns of Emperor Jiaqing [1796-1820], or Emperor Daoguang [1820-1850. . The delicacy of the lines, willow-like Chinese women and the background captures the essence of Chinese painting of this period. Though the scene most likely depicts and earlier period, the work was done in the early to mid-19th century. . The hand-coloring is exquisite, reflecting high-skill, with superb composition. Clearly these artistic skills are by a famous painter of the period. Sadly, this work is not signed. It is most likely one of a series of twelve scenes telling a classic story of concubine life in the Imperial palace, Beijing. . *** THE SCENE: The central scene shows the inner apartment of beautiful Chinese women in elaborate & elegant costumes. Because of their refined surroundings, furniture, decorations, screen, ceramics, lighting and the presence of hand-maids, these most likely Imperial Concubines. . Three women sit at a large table. The central woman is painting a large tree. Her companion to the right points a delicate finger at the painting. The woman to the left is seated on a ceramic stool and engages in conversation with the artist. . There two hand-maids at the left, who look at each other, one holds a tray with two tea cups. . In the background is a very tall and wide folding screen illustrating tenderly painted bamboo sprigs, with a superb border at the top and bottom edges. . The room has a beautiful stone table with a lovely flower in full blossom to the background. . The furniture is the typical "Ming" period style, There is a lovely table in the right front foreground with three flower vases. . The floor tile are drawn in "Western" perspective, showing the lines diminish in size showing the depth of the room. . In the left background is a round door, leading to another room. In this room, is an elaborately furnished table, with comb, brush and mirror. Before the mirror is a young & beautiful Chinese women arranging her coiffure. The room is decorated with flower vases, ceramic stool, wooden table, a table cloth and a screened window. . *** From the activities of the artist, its clear that some of the Imperial Concubines were gifted and talented painters. . *** CONDITION: The Painting: This work is painted in fine laid paper. The painting is in excellent condition, there are no marks or defects of any consequence. There is a small lift of the paper in the upper left approximately x cm.xxxxxxxxxxx, else the work is immaculate. . The Frame: The wood frame is in excellent condition, the cryptomeria wood mat is excellent with a beveled edge in red, as issued. . *** A NOTE ABOUT THE PHOTOS POSTED TO OUR WEBSITE: We post several photos of this painting, as the camera, light and colors vary in the photos. There are some unavoidable reflections from the lighting above. All discoloration, marks and bright spots are reflections on the glass only, they are NOT on the actual painting. . *** REFERENCES: . BERTHOLET, Ferry M.: CONCUBINES AND COURTESANS WOMEN IN CHINESE EROTIC ART * [YIMEN, Rev.].: DREAMS OF SPRING: EROTIC ART IN CHINA. The Bertholet Collection. * VAN GULIK, R.H.: SEXUAL LIFE IN ANCIENT CHINA: A Preliminary Survey of Chinese Sex and Society from ca. 1500 B.C. Till 1644 A.D. . --. EROTIC COLOUR PRINTS OF THE MING PERIOD: With An Essay on Chinese Sex Life From the Han to The Ch'ing Dyansty B.C. 206 Chinese Title [Ahead of Title] PI-HSI TIU KIAO. * FRANZBLAU, Abraham N.:EROTIC ART OF CHINA: A Unique Collection of Chinese Prints And Items Devoted to The Art of Love. * [HUMANA, Charles. et al.]: CHINESE SEX SECRETS: A Look Behind the Screen. . --. THE CHINESE WAY OF LOVE. . --. THE YIN-YANG: The Chinese Way of Love. * DE SMEDT, Marc.: CHINESE EROTISM. * FANG, Ru Ruan. et al.: SEX IN CHINA: Studies in Sexology in Chinese Culture. * See our listing: CHINESE EROTIC PAINTED SCROLL. A SUITE OF TWELVE UNIQUE EROTIC PAINTED CHINESE SCENES: From the Ch'ing Ping Mei or Erotic Adventures of Hsi-men. * JASCHOK, Maria.: CONCUBINES AND BONDSERVANTS: A SOCIAL HISTORY * STANDAERT, Nicolas.: The Intercultural Weaving of Historical Texts: Chinese and European Stories about Emperor Ku and His Concubines. * Qing Dynasty Emperor Reign Names & Dates: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emperors_of_the_Qing_d dynasty . *** .