These paintings are excellent social history and show the exact style of clothes officials would have worn when taking court. Here we see two husbands and wives sitting on ceremonial chairs. The servants are pictured diminutive, a theme found in many cultures across the globe.
In the background is the Taoist immortal goddess Ma Gu (or Magu) can be seen in her classic form holding a vase whilst accompanied by a deer. Magu is the immortal of longevity and blessing.
The inscriptions on the vases read “brilliant colors found in the imperial household” and “the orchids have exotic fragrance”.
Reviews