POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Set of twelve paintings depicting the Chinese tea industry

Set of twelve paintings depicting the Chinese tea industry

Object No. A5617

Paintings (set of 12) with box, depicting the Chinese tea industry, ink / rice paper, maker unknown, China, 1850 - 1900

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Summary

Physical Description

Set of paintings (12), coloured ink on rice paper, in a cardboard box, depicting the Chinese tea industry, China, 1850 - 1900 Set of 12 scenes depicting facets of the Chinese tea industry, handpainted on Chinese rice paper. Each scene is backed by a stronger piece of paper and bordered by a strip of blue ribbon brocade with a white flower pattern. Each scene depicts a different facet of the Chinese tea making industry. They include planting, nurturing and harvesting the tea; two scenes showing the tanning of tea leaves; two scenes showing the grading of tea; three scenes showing the stages of packing tea for sale; the sale of tea and tea drinking. The set is contained within a cardboard box, the lid of which has a transparent glass panel.

DIMENSIONS

Height

82 mm

Width

111 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Sets of cards like these were produced in 19th Century China as souvenirs. They were often mounted in albums and depicted various scenes of Chinese life such as tea making, craftsmen at work, Chinese punishments or flowers and birds.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of Estate of the late Annie Paul, 1969

Acquisition Date

7 May 1969

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