DESCRIPTION: Twelve Chinese pith watercolor paintings of butterflies, caterpillars, beetles, and other insects. All mounted in shadowbox frame. MESUREMENTS: Individual paintings 3-1/2" x 4-1/4" . Overall in shadowbox frame 29" x 25" . CONDITION: Two paintings with cracks. Pith is an unprocessed plant material cored from the stem and branches of a shrub native to regions of Taiwan and Southern China. Naturally limited in size, the pith is pared or carved into long, narrow sheets, flattened, and dried. Unlike manufactured paper made from macerated and matted fibers, the internal order of pith resembles the honeycomb structure of a wasp's nest. This complex cellular structure makes pith highly reactive to moisture. When paint is applied to the paper's surface, the cells swell, causing the painted image to take on a three-dimensional appearance with a jewel-like brilliance. KE IMPORTANT: Before bidding, please read the terms and conditions. When you registered for the auction you agreed to these terms and will be required to comply with them.