Page 63 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Asian Art

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A RARE PAIR OF QIANYIN AND TIANQI LACQUER Lacquer wares and furniture worked in polychrome palettes became
popular in the late Ming dynasty. The Xiushi lu, a manual for lacquer
‘PHOENIX’ ARMCHAIRS
Early Qing Dynasty manufacture compiled during the early 17th century, mentions two
Each with a shaped top rail supported by an openwork shaped back types of filled-in lacquer: the ‘carve and inlay’ type, loukan, according
panel incorporating the design of two phoenix among scrolling lingzhi to which certain areas were cut out of the otherwise finished lacquer
stems, each arm side panel carved with a cloud-scroll edge, the seat surface and inlaid with variously coloured lacquer, and the ‘filled-in’ or
panel decorated with large lotus and birds, the square-section legs ‘polish-reveal’ method, moxian, when certain portions of the design
joined by rectangular-section stretchers. were raised through multiple layers of lacquer as the ground was filled
111cm (43 3/4in) high x 63cm (24 3/4in) wide x 48cm (19in) deep. (2). with additional lacquer and the boundaries between the different colour
fields defined by engraved and gilt lines.
£20,000 - 30,000 Compare with a related tianqi lacquer chair, Ming dynasty, illustrated in
CNY180,000 - 260,000 The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum: Furniture
of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, vol.3, Hong Kong, 2002, p.54,
清早期 填漆嵌銀花鳥紋扶手椅成對 no.44. Also see a related pair of lacquered armchairs, Wanli, the Lord
Fairhaven collection in Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire, illustrated by
Meticulously incised and coloured in the qianjin-and-tianqi (gold- S.Jenyns, Chinese Art, London, 1980, pl.176.
engraved and filled-in) lacquer technique with vibrantly-coloured
dynamic designs of phoenix and floral scrolls, these remarkable chairs
may have been made for the use of one of the highest-ranking ladies
of the Imperial household.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.