LIAN XI, (Chinese, 1816-1884). Story of the Four Chancellors Wearing Peonies, 1869, Hanging scroll, mounted and framed; ink and colour on paper. Artwork is signed and dated by Lian Xi with an artist's seal reading Lian Xi (or his monk name: Zhenran). The painting tells a traditional story when a garden owner (Han Qi) invited three friends to his garden to view the bloom which had four peonies in one plant. The invitees then pined one flower on their hair and each one later became prime minister of the Song Dynasty sequentially. Framed. Not examined out of frame. . - 31" x 56"; Frame: 39.5" x 71" Estimate $3,000-5,000
