拍品專文
Prior to modern times, China required 'barbarian' countries beyond its borders to pay tribute in return for diplomatic recognition and the right to trade with China. The tribute was paid annually during three days of ceremonies conducted by the Board of Rites at the Forbidden City in Beijing. This screen depicts the culmination of these rites: foreign envoys and tribute bearers presenting their gifts to the emperor during the early-morning hours.
This screen is a notable exception to the general rule that Korean screen-paintings, like Chinese handscroll-paintings, are meant to be viewed from right to left. Here the activities begin at the far left with grooms leading tribute horses across a bridge toward one of the gates in the imperial palace, and climax with the presentation of gifts to the emperor on the second panel from the right.
Tribute bearers on panel 1 (the left panel) wait their turn to enter the palace courtyard. Gifts consisting of a rare vase and quantities of stacked boooks fill their carriages. Their cages house exotic birds. Below the guard tower on panel 2, tribute bearers lead a rhonocerous, a camel, an elephant, a falcon, a chimera, a wild boar and a bear. Tribute bearers passing through the palace gate on panel 3 lead a leopard, a mythical lion, a stag and a bear-like animal. Passing between the gate and the palace terrace on panel 4, other tribute bearers lead mountain sheep, an elephant, more exotic birds, some hunting dogs and another mythical lion. On panel 5 we see balustrades, an ornamental garden rock, a chained tiger, bronze planters, and foreign envoys climbing the terrace steps. Envoys on panel 6 cross a small bridge over one of the palace moats on their way toward the emperor, who is enthroned behind a desk, high on panel 7, surrounded by court ministers, palace guards, and various attendants. Some palace pavilions and a few more court ministers may be seen on panel 8.
The emperor's crown is a T'ang Dynasty (618-907) type. His court ministers, palace guards, and attendants wear imaginary Sung Dynasty (960-1279) attire. Most of the foreign envoys wear Mongolian hats. Envoys in Korean costume are conspicuously absent from the screen, even though Korea was a tributary state to China throughout much of tis history.
Following the Manchu invasions of Korea in 1627 and 1636, Korea was obliged to renounce its loyalty to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) of China. The Manchus conquered China in 1644 and set up their own dynasty, the Ch'ing (1644-1912). During the second half of the 17th century, Manchu China exacted heavy tribute from Korea. In the 18th century, realtions stabilized. China's gifts to Korea in return for tis annual tribute grew to be worth more than the tribute itself. Both sides profited from the relationship. The arch-conservative Korean court prided itself on maintaining its tributary relations with China to the letter. China, in return, regarded Korea as the only sinified, civilized country among its tributary states. That it why no Korean envoys are depicted among the 'barbarian' tribute bearers on this screen.
This screen is a notable exception to the general rule that Korean screen-paintings, like Chinese handscroll-paintings, are meant to be viewed from right to left. Here the activities begin at the far left with grooms leading tribute horses across a bridge toward one of the gates in the imperial palace, and climax with the presentation of gifts to the emperor on the second panel from the right.
Tribute bearers on panel 1 (the left panel) wait their turn to enter the palace courtyard. Gifts consisting of a rare vase and quantities of stacked boooks fill their carriages. Their cages house exotic birds. Below the guard tower on panel 2, tribute bearers lead a rhonocerous, a camel, an elephant, a falcon, a chimera, a wild boar and a bear. Tribute bearers passing through the palace gate on panel 3 lead a leopard, a mythical lion, a stag and a bear-like animal. Passing between the gate and the palace terrace on panel 4, other tribute bearers lead mountain sheep, an elephant, more exotic birds, some hunting dogs and another mythical lion. On panel 5 we see balustrades, an ornamental garden rock, a chained tiger, bronze planters, and foreign envoys climbing the terrace steps. Envoys on panel 6 cross a small bridge over one of the palace moats on their way toward the emperor, who is enthroned behind a desk, high on panel 7, surrounded by court ministers, palace guards, and various attendants. Some palace pavilions and a few more court ministers may be seen on panel 8.
The emperor's crown is a T'ang Dynasty (618-907) type. His court ministers, palace guards, and attendants wear imaginary Sung Dynasty (960-1279) attire. Most of the foreign envoys wear Mongolian hats. Envoys in Korean costume are conspicuously absent from the screen, even though Korea was a tributary state to China throughout much of tis history.
Following the Manchu invasions of Korea in 1627 and 1636, Korea was obliged to renounce its loyalty to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) of China. The Manchus conquered China in 1644 and set up their own dynasty, the Ch'ing (1644-1912). During the second half of the 17th century, Manchu China exacted heavy tribute from Korea. In the 18th century, realtions stabilized. China's gifts to Korea in return for tis annual tribute grew to be worth more than the tribute itself. Both sides profited from the relationship. The arch-conservative Korean court prided itself on maintaining its tributary relations with China to the letter. China, in return, regarded Korea as the only sinified, civilized country among its tributary states. That it why no Korean envoys are depicted among the 'barbarian' tribute bearers on this screen.