Pekingese Dogs by Unknown Artist - 19th century British Museum Pekingese Dogs by Unknown Artist - 19th century British Museum

Pekingese Dogs

Ink and color on paper •
  • Unknown Artist Unknown Artist 19th century

Pekingese dogs, the small and playful breed depicted on this hanging scroll, were the favorite breed of China's Dowager Empress Cixi. She was a Chinese noblewoman of the Manchu Yehe Nara clan, concubine, and later regent who effectively controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty for almost 50 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908. The dogs are painted in a court-style composition with rocks and flowers. The hanging scroll is by an unknown artist and dates to between 1850 and 1910.

Traditionally, scrolls were meant to be displayed for a short period, after which they were rolled and tied up until next season or occasion. It originated from the earliest form in literature and other texts written on bamboo strips and silk banners. 

Beautiful, aren't they?

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