COUPLET IN SEAL SCRIPT

CHEN LI (1810-1882) COUPLET IN SEAL SCRIPT Pair of hanging scrolls, ink on patterned paper Signature and seals of the artist 64 1/2. x 12 7/8. in. (164.2 x 33 cm.) (each) Note; The following letter accompanied the gift of this painting to Mrs. Crozier, wife of Dr. D.J.S. Croizer, by S.T. Cheung in 1954: 10 March 1954 Dear Mrs Crozier, My wife and I wish to convey to you and Mr Crozier our best wishes for a pleasant voyage and a very happy vacation at home. I am sending you herewith a pair of scrolls of old Chinese calligraphy which I hope you will accept as a souvenir. These scrolls contain the actual writing of a very famous Chinese Scholar, Chan Lan Po of the Ch’ing dynasty. He lived about a hundred years ago and was very well known for his calligraphy, poetry and chop carving. The meaning of the couplet in the scrolls may be translated roughly as follows: ‘In the high sky and deep sea there live the birds and fish in happiness, In the welcome sunshine and timely rain the flowers vie with the willows in freshness.’ Herewith also a box of chocolate for Miss Crozier. Yours very sincerely, S.T. Cheung