Framed Chinese Ancestor Painting - Ca 1928

This antique Chinese ancestor watercolour scroll painting dates to the first half of the 20th century and would have originally hung above an altar in a family home. Ancestor worship was an integral part of Chinese culture for many centuries. Ancestors were honoured daily with an offering of incense. This was believed to protect the home and family members. 

These paintings are excellent social history and show the exact style of clothes officials would have worn when taking court. Here we see a husband and wife. The bird imagery on the wife's clothing is a rank badge (buzi) depicting a crane, the highest civil rank.

The table screen gives the birth and death dates of the deceased father Xiào Yú (1858 - 1918) and deceased mother Wu Zhi (1863 - 1928). This scroll would have been commissioned upon the matriarch's death in 1928.

It has been framed by our expert framing team with a luxurious black & gilt frame. 

From China

Dimensions:

114 x 3 x 164 (wxdxh cms)

Painting Size: 94 x 141.5cm

UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
More delivery options available at checkout