Lot #64: A Rare and Complete Diptych Set: Pair of Fine Hand-Painted Chinese Artworks on Silk

A Rare and Complete Diptych Set: Pair of Fine Hand-Painted Chinese Artworks on Silk Mid-20th Century Traditional Meirentu (仕女圖) Genre Overview An exceptional, perfectly matched pair of mid-century traditional Chinese watercolor and ink paintings executed directly on woven silk panels. Unlike common prints, these are authentic hand-painted originals, exhibiting masterfully layered brushwork, organic ink transparency, and rich depth of field. Both paintings are beautifully showcased within a premium, circular woven silk brocade matting featuring an understated, repeating auspicious cloud motif. They come housed in high-quality, matching round gilt wood frames, ready for immediate exhibition. The Artistic Narrative (Diptych Pair) This companion set tells a complete poetic story of reflection, seasonally balancing early spring and mid-summer settings: Left Panel: "Contemplating in the Plum Grove" (梅林待思) Theme: A graceful, elegant court lady stands poised in deep thought in a secluded scholars' garden. Visual Elements: She is framed by a sweeping, gnarled plum blossom tree (Meihua) signifying purity and resilience, backed by a rustic bamboo garden fence. Calligraphy & Signature: Inscribed in elegant, semi-cursive script (Xingshu), signed by the artist "Yuanqi" (元奇), and finalized with a matching red artist seal/chop stamp. Right Panel: "Longing to Return Home" (思歸) Theme: A quiet, melancholy counterpart to the first panel, depicting a lady seated in serene isolation, reflecting on her home. Visual Elements: The figure rests thoughtfully on a scholar's garden rockery (Taihu stone) beneath the sweeping, delicate branches of a weeping willow tree—a classical Chinese artistic symbol for parting and nostalgia. Calligraphy & Signature: Inscribed in a stylized, ancient clerical script (Lishu), continuing the signature "By the hand of Yuanqi" (元奇之...) with a matching red artist seal Specifications & Details Medium: Watercolor and ink on natural woven silk fabric Format: Circular fan style (Tuan Shan) mounted on silk brocade mat boards Artist: Yuanqi (元奇) Era: Vintage Mid-Century (c. 1950s–1980s) Framing: Symmetrical round giltwood frames with clean protective glass Dimensions: 14.5" (36.8 cm) Outer Frame Diameter Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Colors remain remarkably crisp and vibrant; fabric panels are tight, clean, and free of foxing or water damage. Catalog Note: This lot represents a classic example of mid-century Asian aesthetic export art. Because finding identical, matching circular frames is highly difficult for modern collectors, this intact diptych set holds immense appeal for high-end interior decorators, Hollywood Regency stylists, and collectors of traditional Chinese imagery. Pickup at Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue Dimensions: 14.5" Pickup category timeslot {A}