Chinese Fu Lu Tu — Gourds and Birds, Symbolizing Good Fortune and Prosperity

Scroll

-

The Curio Cabinet Collection

Name/Title

Chinese Fu Lu Tu — Gourds and Birds, Symbolizing Good Fortune and Prosperity

Entry/Object ID

WH0104

Description

Chinese-style ink-and-color hanging scroll depicting two red-plumaged birds perched amid luxuriant gourd vines, broad overlapping leaves, and pendant yellow-green fruit. Expressive black-ink washes and restrained olive, ochre, and red pigments create a lively, asymmetrical composition in the xieyi flower-and-bird tradition. The gourds evoke traditional auspicious associations with prosperity, blessings, longevity, and abundance, reinforced by the probable title Fu Lu Tu (Picture of Fortune and Prosperity). Vertical calligraphy and multiple red seals accompany the painting within a pale floral-patterned scroll mounting.

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper-to-Cloth

Subject

Two red-plumaged birds among gourd vines, broad leaves, hanging fruit, and dark foliage

Category

Chinese Painted Art

Made/Created

Artist

Maker presently unidentified

Time Period

20th Century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Asia

Culture/Tribe

Chinese

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Right-side inscription beginning with probable 福祿圖; further vertical calligraphy possibly recording season, date, and authorship. Two red seals along right edge and one red seal near lower-left corner.

Dimensions

Width

21-9/16 in

Length

55-1/2 in

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase