Large theater wall hanging depicting characters from the ope - Lot 245

Large theater wall hanging depicting characters from the opera Ba Wang Bie Ji - 霸王别姬, China, circa 1900 Polychrome silks and metallic threads on an orange background, the vertical hanging evokes the three richly dressed main heroes of the famous opera entitled "Farewell to Princess Yu", with the head and body of a dragon partially emerging behind them. Multiple small scenes involving numerous characters reinforce the reading of the story. 385 x 234 cm Worn, torn and missing. The opera tells the story of Yu Ji (虞姬), generally known as "the concubine Yu" and sister of Yu Ziqi, a general of Xiang Yu, hegemon king of the Western Kingdom of Chu. When she met him, she fell in love with him and became his concubine, following him into battle. During the final battle of Gaixia against Liu Bang (刘邦), she refused to abandon Xiang Yu, who was trying to save her, and committed suicide.