Framed Chinese Pith Painting Watercolour of A Dignitary - 19thC Tang Horses Takhats were sturdy wooden daybeds

Takhats were sturdy wooden daybeds commonly found across India

Similar examples can be seen in many Chinese furniture books and museums made in expensive woods such as huali & huanghuali

and tonal variation in the wood

ornamental grasses

Mughal-inspired arched opening

Framed Chinese Pith Painting Watercolour of A Dignitary - 19thC Tang Horses Takhats were sturdy wooden daybedsThis 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. Here, a dignitary can be seen wearing traditional Chinese dress adorned with dragons and holding a ruyi (ceremonial scepter). Pith paper is the spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called