3 oriental hand painted miniture portraits

They sort of look like drinks coasters

But they are hand painted on wood, and look quite old

Any help appreciated

 

Sure they're hand-painted? They appear to be coasters. (It's a British thing.) Here's a company that makes along with placements.

http://www.pimpernelinternational.co.uk/collections/placemats-and-coasters.html

Debora

 

They are definitely hand painted,

You can see the brush strokes

And they are not new at all !!

 

They look like Chinese pith paper paintings that have been mounted on masonite.

 

Debora, these do look like British place mats & coasters. I have two sets that I bought when I lived in England back in the 80's. I also found a few very vintage pieces at the flea market in London but I don't remember the backs looking like that. The brush strokes may be a top coating. I'll see if I can find them and post pictures.

 

Yes, they look like coasters. The charming subjects are taken from 19th century Chinese watercolour paintings of professions.

 

Thanks for your input guys, Quite confusing things. Can't quite work out how old they are, Will try and show a better close up of the painting. Even the borders are hand painted, With an applied laquer over the top
If they are hand painted, does that mean they are not coasters ?

 

Just had a closer look and the portrait picture part is mounted on and slightly more raised

So the pith paper paintings on masonite seems a great shout, thank you

 

Here is info on Chinese pith paintings:
http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/brilliant-little-jewels

 

Thanks mate, that's great info, I always thought there was something more to them then just drinks coasters (even though they do look like them !!)

 

Example of a pith painting coaster.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-Chinese...710032?hash=item4402eaac10:g:pb0AAOSwT-FZC7xM

Debora

 

Thanks Deborah that's great

I've taken a few closer pics, how old do you think they could be, hopefully there quite old, mounted on a newer material perhaps

 

I think someone mounted them. That backing is certainly "newer" - as in, 1960s or so.

 

Hi,
I've seen quite a few of those in several Honolulu stores. They might look old, however, they are new. Very nice...but New.

 

Well I bought them about 15 years ago, so they can't be new