Knickknack peddler

Unidentified artist

Not on view

The image of a traveling salesman laden with wares was popular in premodern Chinese figure painting. While some examples show an elegant environment that suggests some kind of costume play in a palace, this is a more rustic scene, in which both the knickknack peddler and the mother wear humble, rumpled clothes. One can sense the anticipation among the four young children as they clamor for toys and snacks.

Knickknack peddler, Unidentified artist Chinese, 13th–15th century, Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk, China

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Knickknack peddler, Unidentified artist Chinese, 13th–15th century, Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk, China
Knickknack peddler, Unidentified artist Chinese, 13th–15th century, Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk, China

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