Stunning 32 Ft Painted Chinese Scroll from ca. 1800 (02/06/2011)...

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Stunning 32 Ft Painted Chinese Scroll from ca. 1800 !

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Stunning 32 Ft Painted Chinese Scroll from ca. 1800 !

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Sold Date: 02/06/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

~ INCREDIBLE OLD CHINESE SCROLL, HAND-PAINTED ON SILK ~

This scroll tentatively dated to circa 1790 ~ 1810 by Christie's, New York.

Obtained from Long Sang Ti, Chinese Curio Importers, East 55th St., New York City, on December 13, 1952.

This scroll measures an amazing 31 feet 8-5/8" long! Height is 16-3/8".

The painted art panel itself measures a whopping 14 feet long.

The artist's signature cartouche is that of WANG ZHEN PENG (1310-1350).

The calligrapher's signature cartouche is that of ZHANG BI (1425-1487).

Both of these artists were well-known in their day; but how they both came to be on the same scroll is beyond us...

The painting also bears a date: an auspicious day in mid-summer of the cyclical year XINYOU (1321).

According to Christie's, the title calligraphy reads "Clear Pool, Myriad Peaks".

After the painted panel, the calligraphic panel tells the story behind the painting:

~ THE STORY OF WEN CHIAO ~

"Wen Chiao, also called Wen Tai Chun, was a native of the Chin District. He was extremely intelligent, liberal-minded, had extensive learning of literature and was gifted with the volubility of speech. When he was a young man he had great filial heart towards his parents. At the age of 20 he passed the literary examination of the first degree (similar to Bachelor of Arts).

"He joined the Legion of General Liu Kun and was appointed as delegate to the Capitol to see the Emperor, Yuan Ti (317 AD) to convey General Lui's loyalty to the throne. His speech was so impressive that the Emperor was very pleased with his ability, and asked him to stay in the Capitol as Vice-Minister of Labor. Years later he was elevated to the position of President of the Council. But this elevation caused jealousy, especially to the Vice Prime Minister, General Wang Taun, who asked the Emperor to transfer Wen Chiao, and demote him to be made a Vice Minister of War. Wen Chiao was then sent away to guard the walled city of Tan Yang for a while. Later he returned to the Capitol and reported to the Emperor that he discovered that General Wang Tuan was plotting a rebellion, and advised that the Emperor should be prepared for any contingency. Finally, General Wang Tuan rebelled. The Emperor immediately appointed Wen Chiao as General of the Central Front, to lead a victorious army to suppress the rebel. Soon General Wang Tuan was captured and executed. Thus, Wen Chiao saved the Kingdom and was rewarded by being made Governor of Kiang Chow, and stationed at the Walled City of Wu Chang. For a few years his administration governed with benevolence and virtue, which won the great respect and admiration of the people of that province.

"In the meantime another powerful vicious general named Sue Chuan started to revolt, and led a powerful rebel army to attack the Capitol. Again the Emperor summoned Wen Chiao and his army to aid the Capitol defense. However, the rebel army was too numerous, so Wen Chiao asked another general named Tao Han to take the whole command, but the strategy and advice was given by Wen Chiao. Finally the rebel army was defeated at the Walled city of Shih Tao (City of Stone). Thus Wen Chiao again saved the Kingdom. This time the Emperor rewarded him with the title General of the Army and Duke of An Quan (a peaceful province) and offered him the position of Prime Minister. Wen Chiao declined to accept the Prime Minister job, preferring to return to Kiang Chow as Governor, to which the Emperor consented.

"On his journey back to Kiang Chow he passed a district known as Nu Chu (Ox Islet). This place was known for its waters, which were so deep they were immeasurable, and legend said that under the water many mysterious monsters lived. Wen Chiao ordered his man to crush a rhinoceros horn, put it in the fire to light up the river. For a little while he saw many strange creatures appear on the surface of the water, and some came ashore and overturned the fire. Many of them were hideous looking. That...