Page 38 - Bonhams FINE CHINESE ART London November 2 2021

226
A RARE IMPERIAL YELLOW-GROUND SILK EMBROIDERED
THRONE-CUSHION COVER
Qianlong
Finely embroidered with a summer scene of layered rocks rising in
peaks from rolling waves, the group of jagged rocks picked up in blue
threads surrounding a tall paulownia tree, flanked by further rocks
issuing flowering peony branches and large peaches, all on a vibrant
yellow ground interspersed with wispy clouds and bats, mounted.
128.7cm (50 1/2in) wide x 116.8cm (46in) wide.

£30,000 - 50,000
CNY270,000 - 450,000

清乾隆 御製明黃地福壽紋座褥

Provenance: Jacqueline Simcox Ltd., London, June 2008
An English private collection

來源：倫敦古董商Jacquelin Simcox Ltd.，2008年6月
英國私人收藏

Finely embroidered in multi-coloured counted stitch and wrapped most textiles commissioned by the Palace were designed by Court
gold thread with a paulownia tree rising from the terrestrial diagram, artists working for the ‘Wish-Fulfilling Studio’ Ruyiguan; see J.Vollmer,
reaching up to the heavens, flanked by fruiting branches bearing nine Imperial Silks. Ch’ing Dynasty Textiles in the Minneapolis Institute of
large peaches and peony stems, this remarkable panel would have Arts, Minneapolis, MA, 2000, pp.827-828.
likely served as cover to a throne cushion gracing one of the halls
within the Forbidden City. The Imperial Household Department regularly sent specifications for
decorative furnishing to one of the three southern Imperial Workshops
Throne cushions provided decoration and comfort to the wide thrones centres for fabrication. The rigidity of traditional furniture and the
and raised kang platforms placed throughout the ceremonial halls and luxurious taste of the Chinese elites resulted in a variety of upholstered
principal residencies of the Forbidden City. Set with low tables and covering which were at the same time functional, decorative and
cushions, these heated brick platforms became a focus of domestic hierarchal.
activity especially during the colder months. These platforms served
as couches, seats and beds, and their cushions were often decorated Compare with a very similar yellow-ground throne cushion, Qianlong,
with delicate tendril patterns and floral designs, such as the present in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, illustrated by S.Jenyns, Chinese
panel. Regardless of the thematic content, cushion decoration was Art: The Minor Arts, New York, 1963, no.11.
always symmetrically arranged and throughout the Qing dynasty,

© Image courtesy of the Fitzwilliam
Museum, Cambridge

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