Painting

Painting

Scroll painting silk on paper linen scroll mounted. Top has a narrow wooden rod bottom is rolled w/ a heavier blk rod w/knobs. Painting may be unfinished Depicts a man seated w/a woman on his rt and a woman on his left. He is wear- ing a blue outerrobe w/the crane insignia indicating 1st rank civil official & a long bead necklace. Underrobe is partially decorated or damaged and is a lighter blue green and red. The women are dressed in identical plain dark blue outerrobes and a lighter blue underrobe. He is wearing an official's hat black and red with finnial; women are wearing a snug fitting black cap or hair ornament. They are all seated on tiger robes (the tigers' nose & whiskers are peaking out from under their robes) & ornate chairs. A formal side table is in the background two vases containing branches are on table also a small bowl w/utensil & a red container & a stack of books. They appear to be seated on a stage w/a drawn curtain that is tied back (pink & green). Depicting mid-18th c. official? See Chinese Dress by Verity Wilson for costume (41-42)

1991.003.001