19th Century Scroll painting, likely Chinese, depicting Buddha at Festival time. Watercolor and gilt on navy silk, bordered in light brown silk brocade. The scroll depicts Buddha, standing on a green oval lotus base and projecting the sign of contemplation. Buddha is surrounded by twenty-seven (27) attendants and monks of the temple, most playing instruments, all of whom are suspended in clouds and are standing on the lotus flower. A 1983 appraisal indicated that this painting was "done for the Chin En Temple in China" (note there is also a Chion-in Temple in Kyoto Japan). Housed in a fitted storage box. Image: 44-1/4" H x 22-1/2" W. Overall: 74-1/8" H x 29-1/4" W. Provenance: private Nashville collection; acquired by the consignor's parents from Sidney Hirsch (1883-1962), playwright and member of the Fugitive Poets group. Hirsch served in the Navy as a young man and toured the Far East before returning to Nashville and is believed to have acquired the scroll during this period (see photograph of Hirsch with the scroll, which accompanies this lot).

Slight damage from creases and bending noted to painting. Losses and deterioration to silk backing.