Chinese pith paintings came into use for painting to satisfy the increasing demand for small, inexpensive and easily transported souvenirs, following the massive growth in the China Trade in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. Because of the nature of pith and its cellular structure, the gouache used by the Chinese sat on the surface and produced a bright and even sparkling effect.

A Pair of traditional Chinese gouache figure paintings, on pith paper. Presented in original bamboo frames