Chinese Ancestor Painting, Couple in Red and Black finish-matt Base Diam 24cm x H

Base Diam 24cm x H 45cm

This unusual cabinet

while the two upper shelves are removable

Once used either in a wealthy home or more likely by a Chinese apothecary

This chest in light elm is a modern interpretation rather than a reproduction

Chinese Ancestor Painting, Couple in Red and Black finish-matt Base Diam 24cm x HThis large portrait is a reproduction of the paintings produced in China for centuries as part of the ritual of ancestor worship. Families would honour their forbears with offerings placed in front of these paintings, which were always shown with the subjects face on and often life size. Sometimes they depicted individuals or groups of more than one generation, but also often show couples as is the case here. Normally the subjects would be shown