Page 297 - Sotheby's Important Chinese Art, Sept. 21-22, 2-21, NYC

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PROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED TEXAS COLLECTION 清十八 / 十九世紀 木雕罩漆鑲玉石山水人
A PAIR OF LARGE EMBELLISHED CARVED 物圖大掛屏一對
WOOD POLYCHROME LACQUER PANELS
QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY 來源：
Frank Partridge，倫敦，1961年
with layers of cinnabar, black, and ochre lacquer
finely carved in high relief articulating lake-strewn
mountainous landscapes of near and distant tree-lined
peaks, the waves and sky carved with intricate diaper
patterns, one panel with scholars and attendants
among pavilions and bridges all of inset carved jade and
hardstone, the other with travelers preparing to embark
a moored boat as a second boat approaches also all of
inset carved jade and hardstone, each enclosed within a
cinnabar lacquer border carved with alternating keyfret
and floral scroll sections (2)
Height 44½ in., 113 cm; Width 30 in., 76 cm
PROVENANCE
Frank Partridge, London, 1961.
The present pair of panels is a fine example of the
extraordinary workmanship achieved by lacquer
craftsmen of the Qing period and is particularly
notable for its spectacular landscape. Each rock, tree
and figure is carefully executed, and close attention
is paid to the overall composition. The artisan even
followed the custom of Chinese painters to define the
foreground, middle distance, and far distance. Rockwork
is intricately rendered in layers to create illusion and
depth, and the various types of trees bring a sense of
abundance and liveliness to the scene. Like other 18th
century lacquerwares, the ground is also delicately
carved in two different patterns to evoke a sense of
contrast and sumptuousness.
Compare a closely related pair of panels attributed
to the Qianlong period, executed only in lacquer and
of slightly shorter proportions, sold at Christie’s New
York, 6th September 2006, lot 68. A Qianlong period
panel depicting a scene from Lanting Xu, was first sold
in these rooms, 22nd March 1995, lot 423, and again
in our Hong Kong rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 364.
Compare a taller panel also depicting Lanting Xu in
a similar landscape style in the collection of Palace
Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection
of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Furniture of the
Ming and Qing Dynasties II, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 181.
Another related massive panel (95.2 x 160 cm) was sold
at Christie’s London, 16th November 1998, lot 128.
Embellished cinnabar lacquer panels are rare. Compare
a large example attributed to the 19th century that was
sold in our London rooms, 28th October 1988, lot 151;
and another six-panel hardstone-inlaid screen that was
sold in these rooms, 17th March 1984, lot 586.
$ 200,000-300,000

294 SOTHEBY’S COMPLETE CATALOGUING AVAILABLE AT SOTHEBYS.COM/N10748 295