The Spirit-Dragon's Sword Appraisal

The subject of the painting is unknown. A central figure sits on a rock underneath a pine tree, apparently appraising the sword that lies in his lap. A second figure approaches carrying another sword in its cloth wrapping. A third figure kneels in front of the first with his hands clasped in respectful greeting. A dragon on the third figure's back is evidently key to identifying the story, which has yet to be identified. Two further figures stand by, holding pikes. The title and colophon are dated 1891, and are ostensibly by the collector Xu Qi 徐琪 (1849-1918 CE). They attribute the painting, entirely implausibly, to the 10th century monk-painter Ling Zong 令宗 under the title "The Spirit-Dragon's Sword Appraisal" 神龍說劍圖. The painting is likely to be of 18th or 19th century date.