• 19th century Chinese export oil painting of four figures seated around a table of tea bowls, shown in a carved dark wood frame with a gilt liner on a boucle chair
  • Straight on view of the framed 19th century painting of figures around a table, propped upright on a boucle seat
  • Detail of the Chinese export painting showing a woman in a red robe and three men in green and black gathered at a table set with porcelain bowls beneath a red curtain
  • Close view of the left side of the canvas, a red drape framing a window onto a garden with a potted palm, beside the carved corner of the frame
  • Antique Chinese export painting of a tea gathering resting in a bentwood lounge chair, the scalloped carved frame and warm candlelit palette in view
  • Angled view of the framed Chinese interior scene leaning on a cream boucle armchair with bentwood arms, the gilt slip catching the light
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19th century Chinese export oil painting of four figures seated around a table of tea bowls, shown in a carved dark wood frame with a gilt liner on a boucle chair
Straight on view of the framed 19th century painting of figures around a table, propped upright on a boucle seat
Detail of the Chinese export painting showing a woman in a red robe and three men in green and black gathered at a table set with porcelain bowls beneath a red curtain
Close view of the left side of the canvas, a red drape framing a window onto a garden with a potted palm, beside the carved corner of the frame
Antique Chinese export painting of a tea gathering resting in a bentwood lounge chair, the scalloped carved frame and warm candlelit palette in view
Angled view of the framed Chinese interior scene leaning on a cream boucle armchair with bentwood arms, the gilt slip catching the light

19th Century Chinese Export Painting, Figures Around a Table

$2,090.00
$2,090.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Found in United States

This oil on canvas painting shows four figures at their leisure around a table set inside an open pavilion, a garden and pond visible through the open doorway behind them. A deep red curtain is drawn back at one side, framing a view out toward the water, while the interior is furnished with painted screens, a side table, and small decorative objects rendered in careful, descriptive detail.

The seated figures lean toward one another in easy conversation around a table set with a full arrangement of small cups, capturing an intimate, everyday moment rather than a formal or posed scene. Painted in the 19th century, the work belongs to the Chinese export painting tradition, produced largely in Canton for Western buyers who prized this kind of detailed, narrative domestic scene.

The painting is presented in its original 19th century Chinese carved, lacquered, and parcel gilt wood frame, its scrolling foliate ornament matching the period of the canvas. Measuring 18 x 23 1/4 inches at the canvas and 28 x 22 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches in the frame, it holds its own as a substantial wall piece.

This painting carries notable institutional provenance, having been gifted to the Virginia Historical Society in 1943 from a family estate located in Bremo, Virginia, and later deaccessioned by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture to benefit collections care, preservation, and future acquisitions. Made in China, this is a genuinely documented antique for a serious collector of Chinese export art.

Collectors Notes

The documented institutional provenance here is genuinely rare for our Art collection, and the intimate domestic scene is a nice complement to the more architectural companion piece from the same pair.

Both pieces suit our Home Decor collection for anyone furnishing with period pieces.
Condition

Most pieces in our collection are vintage or antique and have been previously loved and used. Gentle signs of age, wear, and patina are part of each item’s history and character. Please review all photos and if you are unsure about an item’s condition, and please reach out to info@cameronsteiner.com with any additional questions. We are always happy to help.
Dimensions

28 x 22 1/2 x 1 1/2"
Shipping

We ship worldwide, with USPS Ground included for orders within the 48 contiguous U.S. states (5–8 business days). USPS Express (2 business days) is available at checkout for an added cost. Orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days, and you’ll receive an email with tracking details once shipped. Please note that delivery times are estimates and may vary due to weather, carrier delays, or peak seasons. If you have any questions about your order, contact us at info@cameronsteiner.com.

19th century Chinese export oil painting of four figures seated around a table of tea bowls, shown in a carved dark wood frame with a gilt liner on a boucle chair
Straight on view of the framed 19th century painting of figures around a table, propped upright on a boucle seat
Detail of the Chinese export painting showing a woman in a red robe and three men in green and black gathered at a table set with porcelain bowls beneath a red curtain
Close view of the left side of the canvas, a red drape framing a window onto a garden with a potted palm, beside the carved corner of the frame
Antique Chinese export painting of a tea gathering resting in a bentwood lounge chair, the scalloped carved frame and warm candlelit palette in view
Angled view of the framed Chinese interior scene leaning on a cream boucle armchair with bentwood arms, the gilt slip catching the light
Collectors Gene | Cameron Ross Steiner

Who Are You Buying From?

Every object here has a journey before it ever reaches you. I've spent years seeking these pieces out, in back rooms of old ateliers, from families who've inherited more than they can keep, through dealers I've come to trust, in conversations with people who still work with their hands, because I've always believed the things we choose to live with should carry something true. What began as a private obsession became a devotion, one I now share with my wife and daughter, who remind me daily that the best collections are the ones built to be passed down, not simply owned. What you're holding isn't just an object. You're inheriting its story, and becoming part of its next chapter.

Frequent Questions

Is everything on the site vintage or antique?

While the majority of our items are vintage or antique and show signs of previous love and use, some contemporary pieces are also included. Please review each item’s photos closely and contact us with any questions about condition.

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Yes, please see our return policy here.

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