ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER

Soapstone-inlade and silk "Romance of the western chamber" illustration.

À l'auberge du Pont-aux-herbes il rêve de Yingying

Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

SOAPSTONE-INLAID 'ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER' SILK PANEL
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The panel depict a scene from the Romance of the Western Chamber, Xixiang Ji, when Zhang is dreaming of Yingying, with the character and scenery depicted in carved soapstone embellished with gilding and pigments.

The silk background is painted with scenic details.

Central panel 24,5 cm x 19 cm altogether 45 cm x 37 cm

l’auberge du Pont aux choux, Zhang rêvant de Yingying

Known as "China's most popular love comedy," it is the story of a young couple consummating their love without parental approval, and has been seen both as a "lover's bible" and "potentially lethal," as readers were in danger of pining away under its influence.