Ancient Chinese Arts: Silk Long Scroll of Dream of the Red Chamber by Huang Shanshou of the Qing Dynasty

Dream of the Red Chamber is one of China's four great classical novels. Although the plot centers around a love story involving Jia Baoyu, the carefree adolescent male heir of the family, and his two girl-cousins, the theme of the novel is actually about the rise and fall of the Jia clan, which is a microcosm of the late Chinese feudal society. Dream of the Red Chamber describes in detail the daily reality of the Rongguo House and the Ningguo House who reside in two large, adjacent family compounds in the capital. Their ancestors were made Dukes and given imperial titles. The two houses are among the most illustrious families in the city. One of the clan's offspring is made a Royal Consort, and the lush landscaped Grand View Garden is built to receive her visit. The novel describes the Jia clan's wealth and influence in great naturalistic detail. Eventually the Jia clan falls into disfavor with the Emperor, and their mansions are raided and confiscated. Written just before the onset