Chinese ink and color on paper painting by Ma Tai 馬駘 (1886-1937) depicting two rabbits resting among greenery at the base of a low wall. A tree with orange blossoms is in the background. The calligraphy at the upper left contains a verse about the magic rabbits who ascended to the moon where they prepared the elixir of immortality for the Moon Goddess Chang’e 嫦娥. The calligraphy includes several alternate names: 企周，子驤，環中子，邛池漁父 and is signed with several names in tandem, reading 環中子、馬駘、企周. The three artist seals read 馬駘, 企周, and 邛池漁父. Cream colored silk mounting. Frame: 38” x 24 3/4” (painting: 29 1/2” x 16”). Very nicely framed and glazed. Both the painting and frame appear to be in very good overall condition. The painting is possibly mounted to a firm backing. From the collection of Gordon Lee Burke (1893-1963) by descent. Born in Shanghai to missionaries, Burke entered the U.S. foreign service after WWI and was considered an authority on China. He served as vice consul in Hankow, Chefoo, and Foochow, China; a language officer in Beijing; and consul in Tientsin. He departed from China when the U.S. entered WWII.