Chinese 1751 Auspicious Roe Deer & Tree Pattern Lamp Shade

This design is based on a famous painting by the Chinese painter Lang Shining of the Qing Dynasty. In China, the deer symbolizes longevity, wealth, and good fortune, often linked with the character "禄" (prosperity). In the U.S., the deer represents nature, freedom, courage, and adaptability, reflecting the values of respect for nature and the spirit of survival. In the autumn of 1751, the Qianlong emperor accompanied Empress Dowager Chongqing on a tour of the summer mountain retreat. Qianlong also traveled to the Mulan hunting grounds, where he was entertained to a banquet by Mongolian nobility. The Mongol Taiyiji presented a roe deer as an offering, its fur as white as snow and eyes sparkling red. According to Ge Hong’s (283-343) Baopuzi, the deer has a lifespan of a thousand years, turning white after reaching the age of 500. In this painting, the white roe deer has large ears and eyes, a long neck, and a short tail, serving as a symbol of good fortune and nobility as well. (...) Castiglione painted the animal, while the rocks, slope, mahogany, and spirit fungus were added by another court artist, Yao Wenhan (fl. ca. 1742-1789). Giuseppe Castiglione, S.J. (simplified Chinese: 郞世宁; traditional Chinese: 郞世寧; pinyin: Láng Shìníng; 19 July 1688 – 17 July 1766), was an Italian Jesuit brother and missionary in China, where he served as an artist at the imperial court of three Qing emperors – the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors. He painted in a style that is a fusion of European and Chinese traditions.