Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
Identified as a Chinese ink print (or possibly a rubbing) depicting the deity Guan Yu on horseback. The characters in the lower left '唐吳道子畫' attribute the original design to the legendary Tang dynasty painter Wu Daozi, a common attribution on later steles and woodblocks.
Story
The print bears an apocryphal attribution to the legendary Tang dynasty painter Wu Daozi ('唐吳道子畫'), which is a common stylistic citation found on later steles and woodblocks rather than a claim of actual authorship. It is a mid-to-late 20th-century reproduction, likely produced for the domestic decorative market or as a souvenir export. The specific modern studio or printer is unknown.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
Based on standard expectations for such items, the print appears intact with strong ink contrast. Value in this category is highly dependent on the absence of foxing, water damage, or tears to the rice paper. The condition and style of the modern Western frame also play a significant role in its decorative resale value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for mid-to-late 20th-century Chinese decorative prints is saturated and primarily driven by decorative appeal rather than antiquarian value. Buyers are typically interior decorators or individuals interested in martial arts, Feng Shui, or Chinese mythology, rather than serious Asian art collectors. These items move best on broad e-commerce platforms where visual impact and ready-to-hang utility drive sales.
▲ Striking martial subject matter (Guan Yu) appeals to a niche but dedicated buyer base.
▲ Included modern Western framing provides immediate ready-to-hang decorative utility.
▲ Textured rice paper and traditional ink aesthetic offer an authentic vintage look.
▼ Unverified printing method — mechanical reproduction instead of a hand-pulled woodblock/rubbing would anchor value to the low end.
▼ Missing dimensions — a smaller-than-average size (under 18 inches) limits decorative impact and value.
▼ Potential hidden paper damage (foxing, acid burn from non-archival framing) could discount the estimate if present.
Best Venue
List on a broad online marketplace like eBay or Etsy with clear dimensions and shipping costs. Market it as a vintage decorative piece featuring the God of War/Wealth, targeting buyers interested in Feng Shui or martial arts decor. Do not invest in reframing, as the cost would likely exceed the potential value increase.
Upside Potential
If macro photography confirms this is a genuine hand-pulled rubbing from an antique stele rather than a mechanical print, and the dimensions are exceptionally large (over 3 feet), the value could push toward the $200-$250 retail range seen in the scroll comp.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.