Chinese Imperial Edict Scroll
Nineteenth century Chinese family tree scroll written in Manchu and Mandarin Chinese. Approximately 480 cm x 36 cm. Painted on silk fabric of 5 colors: yellow, white, black, blue, and red, with white borders decorated with dragons. The Chinese and Manchu texts run from right to left, respectively.
The scroll describes the various honors bestowed upon a family by the emperor, starting September 18, 1821, when Emperor Daoguang (sixth emperor of the Chʻing dynasty) awards grandfather Sai Mint the first degree of nobility. Sai Mint was the brother of the emperor's wife and a public servant, rewarded for his virtue. The honor was to pass through generations of his descendants.
After Sai Mint died December 16, 1829, the third degree of nobility was given to his son Song Zen. Next, on February 4, 1835, Song Zen changed his name to Har Han Nar. Upon Har Han Nar's death, the third degree of nobility was passed on to his elder son Zen Han by Emperor Tongzhi on December 16, 1869.
Dates
- Creation: undated
Conditions Governing Access
Open
Conditions Governing Use
Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies.
Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University.
If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)
Extent
1.00 items
Historical Information
The Manchu (or Man) ethnic minority is based primarily in northeast China. They often intermarried with the Han ethnic group. From the founding of the Chʻing dynasty in 1616, the Manchu have maintained a strong influence in northern China. Their language, now endangered, was once one of the official languages of the Chʻing dynasty. It is a Tungusic language, with a script closer to Sanskrit than to Mandarin. For historians, Manchu documents often supply information unavailable in Chinese, and when both Manchu and Chinese versions of a given text exist, provide controls for understanding the Chinese.
Method of Acquisition
Accession number 2097. Gift of Mrs. Ingram F. Boyd, Jr. (Adeline), April 28, 1997
- Title
- Chinese Imperial Edict Scroll
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- eng
Revision Statements
- 2021 March 17: Resource record updated in ArchiveSpace by Sarah Schnuriger.
Collecting Area Details
Part of the Manuscripts Collecting Area
Joel Minor
Olin Library, 1 Brookings Drive
MSC 1061-141-B
St. Louis MO 63130 US
(314) 935-5495
spec@wumail.wustl.edu