拍品的状况可能存在极大差异，而由于其性质使然，拍品难以处于完美无瑕的状态。拍品均以拍卖时的状况出售。

We have sought to record changes to the condition of this piece acquired after its initial manufacture.
- There are minor splits on the silk mounts where they meet the upper staves on both scrolls.
- On the left hand scroll there are two splits, measuring max. approx. 10.6 and 9.2 cm. On the right hand scroll there is a single split at the join between the mount and the stave, measuring max. approx. 9.7 cm.
- There are slight creases to the paper of both scrolls consistent with age.
- There is a small area of discolouration to the paper in the upper left of the left hand scroll in the couplet.
- On the lower right edge of the right hand scroll there is a small loss measuring max. approx. 3.5 cm by 0.1 cm.
- Labels from the Wenwu Shangdian on both scrolls identify this couplet as a copy after Duan Yucai. After examination of both scrolls in person Christie's Chinese Painting Specialists believe that this is a genuine work by the hand of the artist.