Chinese Silk Calligraphy Scroll, Framed

One character, written with the whole arm. It needs no help from anyone.

This framed calligraphy scroll comes from Hebei Province, China, late 19th to early 20th century, ink on gold flecked paper, mounted on silk. In China, large single characters were written and hung as wishes for good fortune, and the quality of the brushwork mattered as much as the word. Here thick black strokes stack from top to bottom on red paper scattered with gold. A square red seal sits above. A wide dark surround and a black frame hold it. It measures 36 inches wide and 63.25 high.

You do not need to read it. It has already made its point.