Portrait of a dignitary's ancestor mounted on a scroll, China, Ming period (1368-1644) Ink and polychrome on paper. The dignitary wears a beard and is shown seated on a seat covered with tiger fur. He wears an ample black cloak with a thin blue cord tied around his waist and a classic scholar's headdress. Behind him, on the left, stands a young servant in a blue robe, while on the right, a lily in a vase and a perfume burner rest on a high saddle. At top right, the inscription: 祖应朝奉吴公 / 字宗生于永乐已亥年陆月十一日已时 / 旭殁于天顺辛已年正月二十七日酉时 - Zu ying chao feng wu gong / Zi zong sheng yu yong le yi hai nian lu yue shi yi ri si shi / Xu mo yu tian shun xin si nian zheng yue er shi qi ri you shi - "Wu ancestor, honored as imperial official, / Courtesy name: Zong (宗), born on the 11th day of the 6th month of the year jǐhài (己亥, 1419) under the reign of Yongle, at the hour sì (between 9 and 11 a.m.) / Died on the 27th day of the 1st month of the year xīnsì (辛巳, 1461) under the reign of Tianshun, at the hour yǒu (between 5 and 7 p.m.)". 116 x 70 cm Restorations, tears, missing parts.