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These ancestral portraits were typically part of a home shrine for revering ancestors.
The painters appear to have had pre-painted settings with clothing, chair and footstool, etc., and the inquiring customer could choose which they wanted for their ancestor's portrait. There may have been different settings at different prices, all including a draped chair which most households did not have but symbolized some rank (being seated in the presence of all others).
It was customary to "promote" ancestors in social/political rank and/or display of wealth as a show of reverence.
Since the faces were inserted after death they may have been taken from photographs (some seem obviously so).
Many of these were still being made after the end of the Qing Dynasty. But then there was no one going around inspecting ancestral portraits at the end of the 19th century. Sumptuary laws applied to the living.
The face in your portrait has little detail: a perfectly smooth, blemish- and wrinkle-free skin, no lines or contours around eyes, mouth or nose/cheeks. Probabbly a photograph was not available (relatively few could afford such things).
If you search this forum you can find many comments on such portraits.
Good luck,
Cal
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Re: Chinese Imperial Portrait - Tim - Feb 27, 2010 (04:21 PM)