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"Qing listed artist Zhang Ban (1812-?), born Hebei near Peking.  Specialized in birds and flowers as well as landscape.  This is a long scroll painting on silk of lilies in a rock garden.  Inscribed and signed Yuan Fu Dao Ren (artist pen name) and dated summer of 1855  by the artist with seal, upper left.  Five other inscriptions by literati of the period, signed between 1855-56.  \r\n&lt;P&gt;\r\n55\" by 16\" image; 79\" by 20\" scroll.  Few minor spot rubbing on image normal; silk in very good condition for its age; a little wear line on scroll length, likely mounted pre 1950 and post 1920s.  Overall in good condition and most likely stored under pretty good conditions. \r\n&lt;P&gt;\r\nNote:  It was often the custom for literati friends of an artist to write inscriptions on his work, usually poems complementing the subject.  Having 5 inscriptions spanning one year is exceptional.  Zhang's inscription is a dedication to a friend.  Possibly a farewell gift to someone retiring from a government office.\r\n&lt;P&gt;\r\nNote 2:  Works of this artist are among those forbidden to be exported  by the Chinese government per regulations of the Cultural Ministry, July 2005.\r\n \r\n\r\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.trocadero.com/stores/Galleries/items/462954/Qing-Brush-Painting-Scroll-Lillies-Rock-Garden-Signed>