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1801. (Yue 1918)  One Makimono or Scroll Painting, attributed to Li Ch'ang (also known as Li Ying-chiu). Sung. Chinese.
(Ri-sei - Japanse name.)
[[stamp]] Smithsonian. [[/stamp]] 185

Painted on paper, in ink.
This scroll illustrates the ancient story of the victory of the Hiung-nue over Sen-ki, and the abduction of the Princess Tsai Seur (also known as Tsai Van Choo) daughter of Tsai Yoo, officer of the military secretary of the Han Dynasty, A.D. 200.
At the opening of the scroll two horsemen are putting to flight the last of the conquered people and the weeping Princess is shown captured by three warriors who have dismounted, the group standing near their leader and his standard bearer. Other captives are shown nearby on foot, and an archer is shooting at two black birds on wing. Following this the victors are seen in a procession on horseback returning with their prisoners to the Tartar country. The next scene shows the Princess and her present Master rested before a tent, he offering refreshments to her, - attendants and warriors near. Beyond this, musicians gather near a large table to which servants are bringing baskets of food and bottles of wine in preparation for a feast. In the distance at this point, a herd of wild cattle are introduced and at the left, a number of sheep - two of them standing on their hind legs, face to face -- men and children standing near. The following scene shows several tents across the plain and one to the left in the foreground, from which the Princess walks accompanied by a servant carrying a lute. The end of the scroll is a night scene shooing a group of horses huddled together near tents, the Princess looking out from her tent just beyond, and five geese fly skyward, across the plain. Unusual spacing, and a beautiful quality of grays and blacks. Paper much broken and stained.
Without signatures. Six inscriptions on the painting at intervals along the top, twenty-seven seals on painting, several at each joining of the paper and at either end. Several important manuscripts and seals follow painting, written on narrow vertical strips of tan silk, all within a yellow border of floral designs in color and gold. Numerous red seals appear on the manuscripts within the border. Large charactered inscription on blue paper precedes painting. This inscription and the label attributed this painting to Li Ch'eng.
(Compare with Makimono S. I. 118, attribute to Zhour Poo, Tang.)
Length, 184 1/2"; height, 12".

Purchased from Seaouka Yue of Shanghai, Voucher #9 February, 1918, 1,250.00

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-09 12:37:57 too many [[?]]s to have been marked for review, filled in, pls read instructions