Featured Miniature Chinese paintings

My area had a neighbourhood garage sale today and I picked up these 6 x 10 cm Chinese character pictures in a 16 x 19.5 cm frame (2.5 x 3.75 inches in a 6 x 7.5 inch frame) a dollar for both. The lady said she bought them in the early 80s at a garage sale. I took the plunge and purchased them then promptly took them home and took one to bits as I wasn’t sure if I had a painting or a print. It is definitely a painting and on what feels parchmenty but I suppose is rice paper. VERY delicate and fragile (the edge broke off). The cello tape holding the picture in place is discoloured and also fragile and the nails holding the back on are rusted. Not even sure what to call them to research. So… what do you all think? Worth the dollar? They are very sweet regardless and I will happily give them a home.

 

I am not sure of this at all, but I am wondering if these are pith paintings. I found two, and here is the link to that discussion Antique Chinese Portraits Painted on Pith Paper (?) | Antiques Board (antiquers.com)

 

I think you might be spot on Kiko. Thank you so much for the link to the information. The paper is very fragile but felt a bit heavier than rice paper but not quite parchment. And it looks like there are fibers in the discoloured part. I took one image of it in front of a window so we could see the paper better and how the light shined through it. I looked up miniature Chinese pith paintings and there are several that have a similar look. I hope I have not damaged the one piece by taking it out of the frame though have put it all back together now. It they are pith paintings then I feel very fortunate to have found them!

 

@2manybooks and @Any Jewelry could probably help you. @blooey who has expertise, as far as I know, is roaming around Canada in a RV at this time. My only knowledge is what these wonderful members shared.

 

They do look like traditional paintings done on pith, made for the export/tourist market. The articles linked in the other thread say as much as I know about them.

 

Thank you for your follow up. I didn't want to create an unrealistic expectation for Bingamum.

 

I agree. They are charming.

 

Many thanks for all the replies. These little paintings really are lovely. The articles are fascinating and as usual a gateway to all sorts of late night rabbit holes. My yellow pad is full of notes on all manner of Chinese painting techniques (which actually helped me to identify a bowl I was having trouble finding and which I will post next). I'm still not sure when these two were painted or how long this type of tourist ware was popular. Mine have been attached to the mat with cello tape so definitely framed after 1930 but perhaps they had been sitting safely between the pages of a travel book tucked up in a drawer and forgotten about, then found and framed. I wish everything came with its story!

 

Thank you for looking. You are a doll!