Antithetical pair (duilian). China, ca. 1900

Antithetic pair (duilian). China, ca. 1900.
With the text: "In my garden bloom orchids and magnolias accompanied by pine trees. I am surrounded by a crane and will read for a long time".
Pair of inks on paper.
Presents stains and faults.
Can be rolled up.
Measurements: 126 x 27,5 cm.

In Chinese poetry, a duilian or antithetic distich is a pair of poetic verses calligraphed on a strip of cloth or paper displayed, generally, on the doorposts of the entrance doors to the houses. As we see here, the ideal duilian consists of few words and has a deep meaning.