Page 132 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Fine Chinese Art

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A VERY RARE IMPERIAL FAMILLE ROSE TWELVE-LEAF SCREEN
Jiaqing
Each leaf enclosing five famille rose porcelain plaques; the main
famille rose panels superbly enamelled with groups of Immortals
and sages, each with his attribute, engaged in various pursuits in
a mountainous river landscape with trees, flowers and bamboo;
the smaller rectangular top, middle and bottom famille rose panels
colourfully decorated with a pair of confronted chi dragons clawing at
a foliate lotus blossom, each panel framed by a floral scroll on a lime-
green ground; the square famille rose plaques each finely enamelled
with a flower representing one of the twelve months, all set within a
hardwood and possibly zitan frame.
Overall 362cm (142 1/2in) wide x 152cm (59 3/4in) high.

£100,000 - 150,000
CNY860,000 - 1,300,000

清嘉慶 御製粉彩道仙人物圖瓷板十二開屏風

Screens were commonly used in ancient China to keep out draughts,
shut out light and partition rooms. Apart from practical functions
however, screens also had an essential social and decorative function.
In the Imperial halls, they were often used as backdrops to thrones,
reinforcing the Imperial eminence and stature behind the throne. The
importance of such screens is further demonstrated in that no cost
was spared in their production, using precious materials generously,
such as zitan and huanghuali woods, cinnabar lacquer, gilt on black
lacquer and embellishments with porcelain panels, hardstones, and
cloisonné and painted enamels.

The twelve leaves are resplendently inset with 64 famille rose porcelain
plaques. These are superbly enamelled with mythical imagery of Daoist
Immortals, auspicious flowers and birds, laden with puns, rebuses and
symbolic significance.

Compare with a magnificent Imperial twelve-leaf screen, Jiaqing, which
was sold in these rooms on 15 May 2014, lot 88.

Bonhams London, 15 May 2014, lot 88

128 | BONHAMS 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.