A Succession of Honourable Sons Item Number: 946/48 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rolled painting, that was also partly printed, on paper. The image depicts a scene with a male child pulling a cart, with an official hat, a red porcelain vase and three halberds; two male children walking together; a female figure; a mother holding an object with a red tassel; and a figure seated at a table behind her. Wooden scroll bars at each end.
History Of Use
This picture would usually be displayed during the Chinese Spring Festival (春节) or Lunar New Year. Such pictures are thus known as nianhua (年画, new year pictures). Likely made in late 19th or early 20th century in a traditional Mianzhu (绵竹) painting and printing workshop in Sichuan province (四川).
Iconographic Meaning
The image is called 冠带传流 连升三级 (Official ranks passed down to descendants and continued to be promoted by three ranks). A scene showing the passing of the crown belt, and a mother playing with her five children.
Item History
- Made in Mianzhu, Sichuan, China before 1926
- Collected between 1906 and 1926
- Owned by Edith Sibley
- Owned by D. H. Reed, G. A. Reed and T. Gordon Reed before February 16, 1984
- Received from D. H. Reed (Donor), G. A. Reed (Donor) and T. Gordon Reed (Donor) on February 16, 1984
What
- Name
- A Succession of Honourable Sons
- Identification Number
- 946/48
- Type of Item
- painting
- Overall
- height 60.0 cm, width 5.0 cm, depth 3.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Edith Sibley, D. H. Reed, G. A. Reed and T. Gordon Reed
- Received from
- D. H. Reed (Donor), G. A. Reed (Donor) and T. Gordon Reed (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Mianzhu, Sichuan, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1926
- Collection Date
- between 1906 and 1926
- Ownership Date
- before February 16, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on February 16, 1984
Other
- Item Classes
- paintings; works on paper
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0946/0048