Early Qing Dynasty hanging scroll, Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, Lao-Zhuang For Sale

Late Ming to Early Qing hanging scroll. 500 Years Old.The scene is The \"Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove\" refers to seven literary figures and thinkers from the transitional period of the Wei and Jin dynasties (approximately 240-249 AD, during the Zhengshi era): Ji Kang, Ruan Ji, Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu, Liu Ling, Ruan Xian, and Wang Rong. They often gathered under a bamboo grove in Shanyang (present-day Jiaozuo, Henan Province, China), advocating Lao-Zhuang philosophy, emphasizing tranquility and non-action, disregarding social conventions, drinking wine, and composing poetry. Their unrestrained style represented the \"Wei-Jin spirit.\" Although named after \"sages,\" their life pursuits differed greatly, with Ji Kang and Ruan Ji being the most famous.The figure on the very left, squatting dowm, and the 2 figures at the very right lower corner, are pageboys, also known as book boys, who were often young male servants in ancient China who served and accompanied wealthy families or scholars while they studied. They were responsible not only for academic assistance such as grinding ink and tidying the study, but also for daily chores like laundry, cooking, and delivering documents. Pageboys often served multiple roles, including attendant, study companion, assistant, and even bodyguard (as in highly skilled pageboys).The paint is cracked across most of the surface with slight water damage. Condition is as pictured.