30 - (R) CHINESE QING ANCESTOR PORTRAIT OF A COURT OFFICIAL, 19TH CENTURY

(R) CHINESE QING ANCESTOR PORTRAIT OF A COURT OFFICIAL, 19TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 120 cm by 84 cm A Chinese ancestor portrait shows a seated official facing the viewer in a formal interior. He wears a dark court robe with a brightly embroidered rank badge, a black official hat with a red finial and richly patterned lower garments. An attendant stands at his side, while painted furniture, scholarly objects and a landscape screen create a detailed setting behind the central figure. The symmetrical pose and direct gaze establish an unmistakable sense of dignity. Ancestor portraits played a significant role in Chinese family remembrance and ritual, preserving an idealised image of the sitter as well as signs of rank and social identity. Here the surrounding furnishings and carefully rendered costume contribute to that purpose, presenting the official as both an individual and a bearer of inherited status. Areas of surface wear and creasing are visible, but the vivid costume details and layered interior remain legible. For lots marked with (R), a 19% VAT is added to the combined hammer price and commission. This VAT is waived for: - Private buyers outside the EU who officially export the items.- Businesses inside the EU holding a valid VAT number, exporting to their home country. Proper export documentation is required to waive the VAT