https://emuseum.cornell.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/113008/fullYao ritual painting of Yuanshi (Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning)Early 20 centuryImage: 46 1/16 × 17 13/16 inches (117 × 45.2 cm)Hanging scroll: ink on paper, backed with paperGift of Mr. and Mrs. Bart Nelson Stephens85.059.0010The large central figure of the Jade Emperor is depicted wearing wide flowing red robes decorated with blue dragons, over green underrobes. He is holding a bowl (containing the pill of immortality?) in his right hand; the long whisks of black side-burns and beard are gathered in his left hand. He wears a small wave-(or cloud)-and-pearl crown and has a white-ringed, red-flaming halo. Behind the halo is a mass of drapery like material, in the shape of a mountain, or parasol, with a pearl at the top. To the either side of the halo are phoenix-heads from which dangle decorative tassels with symbols, flanked by small blue, red, orange and green clouds. The Jade Emperor is seated on a dragon throne. Between the lower folds of his gown is a small barefoot figure, with one arm and one foot raised, holding his pig-tail. Below this figure is a vertical inscription panel with 9 characters (8? What, then, is the second-to-last brushmark, if not a character?) Flanking the inscription panel are two ferocious blue dragons with front-lfeg talons out-stretched; and in each corner stands a female figure, wearing alternately colored green and red garments, each holding a book, both facing in towards the center. Some red staining (cock's blood?) and some wrinkling at base. Some of the patterning on the robes is done with a shinier wax-like substance. THE GENERAL FORMAT OF THE 17 PANELS: All have blue wavy borders around the vertical sides and the bottom and three dark grey floral medallions at the top, in a horizontal panel, some on a reddish ground, others on the natural beige ground of the paper. Information from Gichner's appraisal and from observation. 6/3/86 Astri W.Paintings21039418582Unidentified artistVietnam85.059.001.1stview85.059.001.2ndview