Chinese Painting on Silk

Chinese Paintings on silk with its unique characteristics and style has had a profound effect in shaping China's rich visual history over centuries. Valued for its ethereal aesthetic, Chinese artists continue to adopt and adapt to this ancient art style with the same intense delicacy and passion as that of traditional artists. Chinese silk paintings for sale on the Bidsquare online auction feature artworks from as early as the 11th century up to the present day, especially works made during the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasty that continue to attract collectors’ interests. The elegance and uniformity of Chinese Paintings on silk reflect the incredible meticulousness of creating these artworks by Chinese artists, making this artistic style unique of its own. 

The Art of Chinese Silk Paintings 

Silk painting is a combination of two distinct forms of Chinese art, sinuous brushwork and meticulous spinning of the fabric, both requiring an incredible passion for the art. Traditional practitioners of the art used stones to smoothen out the texture of the silk surface for a flawless canvas. This was followed by the use of paintbrushes of animal hair to adorn the silk with designs in colorful mineral pigments, the materials were similar to that used in calligraphy, the earliest incarnations of silk paintings. 

As tools and techniques developed and with larger availability of colors and resources, artists were able to add more details to their paintings, enabling them to depict mythological creatures, folklores, and portraits in their artworks. Artistic interpretations of famous religious analogies and fables gradually gained meaning in these paintings. However, these modern paintings still retain a sense of tradition as contemporary artists follow the same process as used by their predecessors.

Chinese Painting on silk can usually be divided into three categories, depending on the themes they depict - figures, landscapes, birds, and flowers. The level of detail involved in chinese landscape paintings makes them the highest form of silk painting. There are two techniques involved in creating a silk painting, the Gongbi, and the Shuimo techniques. Gongbi, or “meticulous painting,” requires detailed brushwork to create a likeness to real-life objects. This style of chinese paintings is renowned for its realist details, figurative subject matter, and the use of a vibrant color palette. 

The other technique Shuimo meaning “water-ink” is freer in style with more emphasis on details. This approach of silk painting uses a monochromatic palette of black and colored ink, the emphasis is to convey the essence of the subject rather than to create a replica. The paintings rely more on impressionist techniques of doing away with the addition of too many layers and exaggerations. 

As a tradition, Chinese silk painting has not only come from a long line of artistic endeavors but has also played a role in documenting history, remaining an integral part of China’s legacy. In an age of rapid technological advancement, Chinese silk painting today reminds us of the importance of preserving tradition within us through consistent hard work and with time. 

Quick Facts about Chinese Painting on Silk

  • A rare 18th-century 61-foot-long scroll artwork fetched 414 million yuan (almost $65 million) in Beijing. 
  • Some Famous Chinese Silk Painters are He Xiangning, Gao Qi-Feng.
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  • Group of Four Chinese Erotic Paintings
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Group of Four Chinese Erotic Paintings

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
    STAIR
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    $500
  • Chinese Painting on Silk of Peacocks
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    $100 - $200

    Chinese Painting on Silk of Peacocks

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    $100 - $200
  • A Chinese Painting On Silk
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    $100 - $200

    A Chinese Painting On Silk

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    $100 - $200
  • A Chinese Painting on Silk
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    $1,500 - $3,500

    A Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $1,500 - $3,500
  • A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $7,000

    A Chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $3,000 - $7,000
  • A Chinese Painting on Silk
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    $80 - $120

    A Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $80 - $120
  • A Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk
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    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk

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    $500 - $1,500
  • Chinese Painting on Silk
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    $50 - $100

    Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $50 - $100
  • Two Chinese Paintings on Silk
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    $80 - $120

    Two Chinese Paintings on Silk

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    $80 - $120
  • Two Chinese Paintings on Silk
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    $150 - $250

    Two Chinese Paintings on Silk

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    $150 - $250
  • Chinese Scroll Painting on Silk
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    $250 - $450

    Chinese Scroll Painting on Silk

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    $250 - $450
  • A Chinese Pavilion Painting on Silk
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    $3,000 - $7,000

    A Chinese Pavilion Painting on Silk

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    $3,000 - $7,000
  • Chinese School Painting on Silk
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    $600 - $800

    Chinese School Painting on Silk

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    $600 - $800
  • Chinese Painting on Silk of Flowers
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    $100 - $200

    Chinese Painting on Silk of Flowers

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    $100 - $200
  • A Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk
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    $1,500 - $3,500

    A Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk

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    $1,500 - $3,500
  • Pair Chinese Figural Landscape Paintings on Silk
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    $100 - $200

    Pair Chinese Figural Landscape Paintings on Silk

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    $100 - $200
  • A CHINESE FRAMED PAINTING ON SILK WITH FRAME
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    $4,000 - $6,000

    A CHINESE FRAMED PAINTING ON SILK WITH FRAME

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    $4,000 - $6,000
  • A Chinese Figure Painting Silk Scroll
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    $1,500 - $3,500

    A Chinese Figure Painting Silk Scroll

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    $1,500 - $3,500
  • A Framed Antique Chinese Silk Painting
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    $800 - $1,200

    A Framed Antique Chinese Silk Painting

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    $800 - $1,200
  • Three Chinese Paintings on Silk
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    $150 - $250

    Three Chinese Paintings on Silk

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    $150 - $250
  • Antique Chinese Painting on Silk
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    $600 - $800

    Antique Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $600 - $800
  • Group of Four Chinese Paintings on Silk
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    $300 - $400

    Group of Four Chinese Paintings on Silk

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    $300 - $400
  • Antique Chinese Painting on Silk
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    $150 - $250

    Antique Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $150 - $250
  • Signed Chinese Painting on Silk.
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    $400 - $600

    Signed Chinese Painting on Silk.

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    $400 - $600
  • A Snow Landscape Chinese Painting on Silk
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    $1,500 - $3,500

    A Snow Landscape Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $1,500 - $3,500
  • Antique Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $300 - $450

    Antique Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $300 - $450
  • Chinese Silk Painting of a Landscape
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Chinese Silk Painting of a Landscape

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    $600 - $800
  • A Chinese Painting on Silk by Wu Ren
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    $100 - $200

    A Chinese Painting on Silk by Wu Ren

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    $100 - $200
  • Two Chinese Embroidered Silk Framed Painting
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    $100 - $150

    Two Chinese Embroidered Silk Framed Painting

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    $100 - $150
  • Chinese Hanging Scroll Landscape Painting on Silk
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    $200 - $400

    Chinese Hanging Scroll Landscape Painting on Silk

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    $200 - $400
  • Chinese Emperor Painting on Silk
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    $200 - $2,000

    Chinese Emperor Painting on Silk

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    $200 - $2,000
  • Chinese Painting on Silk with Warrior
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    $400 - $600

    Chinese Painting on Silk with Warrior

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    $400 - $600
  • A Chinese Two Horses Painting Silk Scroll
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,500

    A Chinese Two Horses Painting Silk Scroll

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    $1,500 - $3,500
  • A Chinese Landscape and Figure Painting Silk Scroll
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    $1,500 - $3,500

    A Chinese Landscape and Figure Painting Silk Scroll

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    $1,500 - $3,500
  • Chinese Scroll Painting on Silk of Woman
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Scroll Painting on Silk of Woman

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    $300 - $500
  • Antique Chinese Ink and Color on Silk Painting
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Antique Chinese Ink and Color on Silk Painting

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    $400 - $600
  • Chinese Painting on Silk by Chitfu Yu (b. 1942)
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Painting on Silk by Chitfu Yu (b. 1942)

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    $400 - $600
  • Qi Baishi mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    Qi Baishi mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk

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    $500 - $1,500
  • Fuxin mark: A Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,500

    Fuxin mark: A Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,500
  • Lang Shining mark: A chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    Lang Shining mark: A chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • Jin Tingbiao mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,500

    Jin Tingbiao mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,500
  • Yu Minzhong mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $12,000

    Yu Minzhong mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $6,000 - $12,000
  • Liu Songnian mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $7,000

    Liu Songnian mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $3,000 - $7,000
  • Chinese Thangka Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,500

    Chinese Thangka Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $600 - $1,500
  • Qiu Ying mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,500

    Qiu Ying mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,500
  • Chinese Painting On Silk
    Estimate
    $20 - $1,000

    Chinese Painting On Silk

    Est.
    $20 - $1,000
  • Chinese Silk Painting of Beauty in Garden
    Estimate
    $400 - $500

    Chinese Silk Painting of Beauty in Garden

    Est.
    $400 - $500
  • Ma Yuan mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $7,000

    Ma Yuan mark: A Chinese Painting on Silk

    Est.
    $3,000 - $7,000