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I bought the paintings below this morning at the 25th street flea market in New York City. The dealer said that the paintings were from western China. They are painted on cardboard and seem to be old. The first piece is about 8.5 X 5.5 and the second one is approximately 13 X 9.5. If anybody has any information about when and where they were painted I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Dear BL,

These painting portray Buddhist imagery perhaps somewhat in the style of the Dunhuang Caves and other locations. If original, these styles would be from the Han to Tang dynasties around 200 BC to 1000 AD. I think that the style and colors are not correct for that time period. Also, most pieces were done in fresco on walls rather than as free standing art.

Most Buddhist type imagery stopped in western China after the Uighurs converted to Islam from Buddhism some time during the Middle Ages.

It is my hunch that these paintings are 20th Century tourist trade items.

Best,

Bokaba

Dear Bokaba,

Thanks very much for the information and image.

BL

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