BAISEN: A FINE PAIR OF KANO SCHOOL `FALCON` SCROLL PAINTINGS By Baisen (Umekawa), signed Baisen hitsu with seal Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Painted in ink and watercolors on silk, with a silk brocade frame, and mounted as a hanging scroll, each scroll depicting a falcon, one grooming, the other perched on a gnarly pine branch, its steely glare focused on the far distance, their eyes and feet accentuated in vibrant yellow colors. Each signed BAISEN hitsu [made by Baisen] and with two red seals. SIZE 79.2 x 31.2 cm (image), 158 x 46 cm (incl. mounting) Condition: Good condition, the images with few stains and some creasing, the mounts with creasing, few minuscule holes, small stains, and loose threads. Provenance: French private collection. With a wooden box, inscribed: “Baisen hitsu, taka no e, nifuku tsui, shigatsu nanoka, Chosai no shozou” [Painting by Baisen, a pair of hanging scrolls of hawks, collection of Chosai, 7th day in the fourth month]. Museum comparison: Compare a related scroll painting of an eagle by Kano Chikanobu, 17th-18th century, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 36.100.7.