Page 134 - Christie's London Fine Chinese Ceramics Nov. 2019

Daniel Beale (1759–1842)

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ENGLISH COLLECTION
~116
A VERY RARE AND MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF IMPERIAL
EMBELLISHED LAPIS LAZULI ‘DA JI’ DOUBLE-GOURD-FORM
PLAQUES
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Each lapis lazuli plaque is intricately carved in the form of a large double gourd, Daniel Beale (1759-1842) and his brother Thomas were Scottish Merchants
with two roundels attached to the front and small gourds on leafy tendrils active in Mumbai, Guangdong and Macau, dealing in Indian cotton,
depicted to the back. Each plaque is tied around the mid-section with a long sandalwood, tin, pepper, and Chinese tea. In 1797 they were described as
gilt-bronze ribbon adorned with bright turquoise kingfsher feathers. The two the most prominent of the trading houses on the Chinese coast. In order to
roundels to the front display the characters da ji (great fortune) rendered in subvert the East India Company’s monopoly they became in succession the
jade, each set against a background embellished with kingfsher feathers in a
Prussian Consul in Canton. Partnerships at that time were fuid but latterly
geometric pattern with wan symbols and surrounded by a foral scroll with red their partnership became Beale & Magniac from which Jardine Matheson
rubies. The plaques are encircled by gilt-metal attachments decorated with
originated.
various coloured stones to simulate leafy vines and smaller gourds, with bats
in fight depicted in coral, all supported on stained ivory depicting further leafy After Daniel Beale had returned to England his brother Thomas was ruined
vines and small gourds. The zitan stands are inset with jade, gilt-bronze and by an unwise speculation in a joint venture with Judge Miguel de Arriaga,
stained ivory. whose oficial position should have precluded commercial activity. Thomas
19 in. (48.2 cm.) high overall including zitan stands (2) lived on in his fne original Portuguese house, the garden of which boasted a
splendid aviary, much admired by contemporary travellers. He was buried in
£120,000-180,000 US$150,000-220,000
the Protestant Cemetery in Macau.
€140,000-200,000
PROVENANCE: The current lot is being ofered for sale by a direct descendant of Daniel
Collection of Daniel Beale (1759-1842), acquired in China in the 19th century.
Beale.
清乾隆 青金石嵌百寶蝙蝠「大吉」葫蘆屏連紫檀座一對
來源:
蘇格蘭商人Daniel Beale (1759-1842)於十九世紀購自中國
英國私人珍藏

132 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.