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Chinese Ancestor Portrait browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Chinese: Pre 1837 VR: item # 544404 Please refer to our stock # 60-54 when inquiring.
Silk Road Gallery PO Box 2175 Branford, Connecticut 06405, USA (203) 208-0771 Guest Book SOLD |
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| This ancestor portrait of a handsomely robed Chinese couple includes a table plaque indicating their birth dates as November 2, 1398, and December 3, 1400. Generally commissioned after the death of the subjects, such portraits were later retouched as needed and sometimes were completely repainted. It was standard practice to add the faces and perhaps a few other elements to a pre-painted background. In the case of this painting, we can assume the woman's rank badge, the calligraphy on the plaque and possibly the warriors, trees and birds at the top of the painting related specifically to this couple and were painted at the same time as their faces. Because of retouching and repainting it often is difficult to accurately date Chinese ancestor portraits. We place this one in the 19th century although it could be a bit earlier. It is backed with silk on a hanging scroll and has been rescrolled recently. The red and purple robes of the couple remain particularly intense and dramatic. Their faces are well lined and both have sober expressions, as was typical for Chinese ancestor portraits. The woman's headpiece is especially ornate. The man's attire is more subdued but he has wonderfully distinctive eyebrows and beard. This large painting is strong and dramatic. It has water damage down the center that could be minimized with light restoration. Dimensions of scroll: height 79" (201 cm), width 40-1/2" (103 cm). Dimensions of painting only: height 59-1/2" (151 cm), width 36-1/2" (93 cm). | |||||||||||||||
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