Lotus and Ducks

Culture: Chinese
Dynasty: possibly Southern Song dynasty, 1127–1279
Dynasty: possibly Yuan dynasty, 1279–1368
Date: mid- to late 13th century
Material: One of a pair of hanging scrolls; ink and color on silk
made in: China, Asia
Classification: Paintings
Collection: Asian Art
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: image: 48 x 24 in. (121.9 x 61 cm)
object: 80 7/8 x 29 1/2 in. (205.4 x 74.9 cm)
width of mounting: 26 7/8 in. (68.3 cm)
Credit Line: Funds given by an anonymous donor, the Ruth Peters MacCarthy Charitable Trust, Dr. Patricia L. O'Neal, Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Luh, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kresko, and an anonymous donor
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 33:1998.1

NOTES

The mated pairs of waterfowl in this matched pair of paintings of lotus are symbols of marital fidelity and happiness. The promise and richness of life are represented as flower buds and full blossoms rendered in minute and sensitive lines of white and pink against large lotus leaves in contrasting malachite green. These scrolls were created by the southern Piling studios which were famous for their decorative paintings of birds and flowers, specializing in works with themes of celebration and harmony. In China, the lotus evokes memories of hot, languid summers filled with the flower’s lovely fragrance. Matching lotus scrolls were presented to newlyweds in hopes of a productive family life, for each flower hides a pod filled with sweet seeds, symbolizing abundance and many children to the loving couple.

Provenance

Private collection, Japan [1]

- 1998
Leighton R. Longhi, Inc. [Leighton R. Longhi (1944–2024)], New York, NY, USA [2]

1998 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Leighton R. Longhi, Inc. [3]

Notes:
[1] This painting and its mate must have once been in a Japanese collection, based on the Japanese-style mounting.

[2] Invoice from Leighton R. Longhi, Inc. dated June 10, 1998 [SLAM document files].

[3] Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, June 5, 1998.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.

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