The stamp on this hanging scrolls gives the name of the modern Chinese artist, Yù Gù (玉顧), about whom nothing otherwise is known, and a prosaic title," Flower and Bird Picture" (花鳥图), is further recorded, presumably by the dealer, on the label of its box (see the second image). The subject, however, is more interesting than that. There are narcissus at the bottom and nandina (with red berries) at the top; their names in Chinese constitute a pun for “Heavenly immortals.” The blossoming rose, plum and green garden rock are longevity symbols. Altogether, the painting’s message is “May the heavenly immortals grant you longevity.” While this is a standard birthday greeting, birds other than sparrows are more common in such imagery. Here they might denote spring and, as a pair, marital fidelity. Donated by IRC residents Betsy and Jim Edmonds.