To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to request an initial valuation for a Chinese hanging scroll featuring a "Boy and Buffalo" motif, attributed to the renowned artist Li Keran (李可染). Key Technical Details: Medium: Ink and light color on paper, traditionally mounted on a silk/damask scroll. Signature & Seals: The work is signed "Keran" (可染) in the upper left corner. Microscopic and close-up examination confirms that the ink stroke of the signature clearly overlaps the red artist's seal (Li - 李), indicating the seal was applied first and the signature/calligraphy added over it. Provenance & Labels: The reverse of the mounting features a handwritten collector’s/lot number: "444,00". An older, typed paper label is attached to the silk, reading: "LI KO-JAN – BUFFALOES – 83-24-A". The use of the "Li Ko-jan" transliteration suggests a mid-to-late 20th-century international provenance. The exterior title strip (tiao) is hand-inscribed with: "李可染 水牛" (Li Keran – Water Buffalo). Condition: The paper shows natural signs of aging, including even oxidation and minor foxing, consistent with a mid-20th-century work. The mounting is original and shows typical wear for its age. I have attached high-resolution photographs of the full scroll, the signature/seal overlap, the microscopic details of the brushwork, and the various labels on the reverse. I would greatly appreciate your professional opinion on the authenticity and estimated auction value of this piece. Kind regards,