Published
MS140
The handscroll is an Imperial mandate from the Tongzhi Emperor ( 1856-1875) to the parents of Lu Chuan-Lin (1836-1910), an officer of the court and a Jinshi who passed the highest Imperial examinations. The text which is in Mandarin and Manchu, is written in ink and gold paint upon contiguous panels of blue, fuchsia, gold, cream and purple silk, backed onto sections of laid paper. The edict proclaims a promotion given to a Manchu official. The emperor praises the distinguished service of Lu Chuan-Lin. The scroll is wound around two cedar dowels at both ends, and is tied with multicoloured flat silk ribbon. The scroll is housed in an acid-free box.
3.43 m long, 32.2 cm wide.
The scroll (09-2009) was obtained courtesy of Professor Cyril Levitt of the Department of Sociology from the estate of Lawrence Krader, an American ethnologist.
Further accruals are not expected.
Access restrictions: The scroll is in very fragile condition. Access is permitted only under staff supervision.