Page 248 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Fine Chinese Art
P. 248
(reverse)
325 TP Palace scenes with ladies of the court were very popular in the
A FINE AND RARE POLYCHROME LACQUER TWELVE-LEAF late Ming and early Qing periods. According to W.De Kesel and
CARVED ‘COROMANDEL’ SCREEN G.Dhont, these screens of palaces and ladies were often based on
Kangxi a frequently reproduced painting by Qiu Ying (1494-1552) known as
Exquisitely decorated with a detailed scene of courtly ladies within ‘Spring Morning in the Han Palace’. See W.De Kesel and G.Dhont,
a palatial landscape on one side, the upper border decorated with Coromandel: Lacquer Screens, 2002, Gent, pp.48-49.
flowers and antiques, the lower border with scenes of mythical beasts,
the reverse decorated with Tang dynasty poetic inscriptions bordered The popularity of scenes with predominantly female figures engaging
by landscape scenes and floral studies, all within antiques and in various activities including the ‘Four Arts of the Scholar’ may reflect
auspicious symbols forming a frame to the main design. changing models of feminine identity by the late Ming and early Qing,
295cm (116 1/8in) x 624cm (245 6/8in). (12). which (in terms of cultural refinement), may have been considered
almost equal to the male literati.
£30,000 - 50,000
CNY260,000 - 430,000 Similar twelve-leaf screens, Kangxi, are illustrated by W.De Kesel and
G.Dhont, ibid., pp.23,31,36.
清康熙 褐漆彩繪樓閣園遊圖十二開屏風
Compare with a similar screen, Kangxi, which was sold in these
rooms, 17 May 2012, lot 170. Another closely-related ten-leaf screen
(lacking two panels), Kangxi, was sold at Sotheby’s New York,
3 November 2005, lot 118.
242 | 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.
