The four elders were aged and sagely recluses who lived on mount shang during the tyrannical qin dynasty, in the late 3rd century bc. After emperor gaozu founded the han dynasty, he invited the four elders to return to official service and serve in his government, but they declined. Later, in deciding the succession, emperor gaozu wanted to pass over his eldest son, the crown prince, in favour of another son by his favourite concubine. Objecting to this, the empress invited the four elders to court to support the crown prince. After long deliberation they did indeed pay their respects to the crown prince. — chester beatty library. Date: early 16th century. Place of creation: China during the Ming dynasty. Dimensions: 31.6 × 59.3 cm. Medium: gold, ink, paper. Collection: Shanghai Museum.
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