Harvest of Endurance: A History of the Chinese in Australia 1788-1988

H 790mm x W 49370mm x Dia 145mm, The scroll is a history of the Chinese in Australia from 1788-1988 A handscroll painted with ink and colour. Scenes in traditional Chinese 'gong bi' [meticulous brushwork] style depict Chinese Australians engaged in agriculture, mining, construction, commerce and in social, political and religious activities. An initial inscription in Chinese calligraphy in black ink at the beginning of the scroll details the scroll's conception, title and artists. A final inscription at the end of the scroll thanks the sponsor and contributors, and chronicles the scroll's production. The painted panels are mounted on paper with blue-grey coloured silk border to the front. One end of the scroll is secured around a brown wooden roller, one wooden roller is separate. Each end of the scroll features green and gold patterned silk front and back.