Description The main register displaying a pair of phoenixes, other birds, butterflies, various flowering branches, and an inscription titled “Wulun tu” (Picture of the Five Relations) in flat stitches against a beige-coloured background, above three large shou medallions in couched gold threads. At the sides inscription in large gold-leaf characters dated Daoguang jihai (1839), written by Liu Zhaoqing. The upper border displaying the Star Gods Fu, Lu and Shou at the centre, flanked by Xiwangmu (left) und Dongfang Shuo (right), below the Hehe Erxian and a dignitary, most probably Guo Ziyi. At the outer borders to the left and right the Eight Immortals: Lu Dongbin with a sword, Han Xiangzi with a flute, Li Tieguai, He Xiangu to the left, and Zhongli Quan, Lan Caihe, Zhang Guolao and Cao Guoji with castanets to the right. The hem showing symbols of Long Life and Good Fortune such as deer, two cranes and bat with pine and a wutong tree at the sides. Lined with beige-coloured cotton. A few loose thre The scene of the main register refers to the Five Relationships (wulun), represented by five types of birds. The pair of phoenixes dominating the scene stand for ruler and subject or rightness and loyality, the crane stands father and son or affection and filial piety, the crows stands for friend and friend or trust and honesty, the swallow stands for elder and younger brother or precedence and affection and lastly the mandarin ducks stand for husband and wife or differentiation and harmony The honorific inscription bordering the main register includes the dates of Daoguang jihai (1839), written respectfully by Zhaoqing and sealed Yunwi und Liu Zhaoqin yin.
Dimensions 417 x 220 cm
Provenance Wedding gift to Anton und Antoinette Goebel, who married around 1900, and thence by descent, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Notes VAT: Margin scheme