hanging scroll; painting BM-1910-0212-0.463

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1500-1644
Materials:silk
Technique:painted
Subjects:bird and flower
Dimensions:Height: 117 centimetres (image) Width: 85 centimetres (image)

Description:
Hanging scroll.The quail (anchun) is a symbol for peace (pronounced an). The grain in this image also plays into the visual pun (rebus). A stalk of grain is pronounced sui, which sounds like the word for ‘year’. So the quail amid many stalks of grain indicates ‘may you enjoy peace year after year’. Painted in ink and colours on silk.
IMG


Comments:Lü Ji was a Ming dynasty court painter of birds and flowers, who achieved the rank of commander in the Imperial Guards. He became famous for his sensitive skill in capturing natural subjects and many painters of his own time and later generations followed his style.