Page 210 - Christie's Asia Week March 2024 Chinese Art

重要中४藝術暨高曼珍藏

(details)

The meticulous integration of soapstone and mother-of-pearl in the York and Philadelphia, 1928, where the author stated that the screen
screen's inlay attests to commendable craftsmanship and the use of was 'made as a gift from a Premier to an Emperor', ibid., p. 3. Based
high-quality materials. The finely rendered figures, characterized by on its massive size and superb quality in craftsmanship, it is likely
soft and dynamic folds in their robes, emotively expressive facial that the screen was carved by artisans in the Imperial workshops,
features, and intricately detailed hair, are further enhanced by the commissioned by Kangxi as a birthday gift to a high official. The
expert use of natural markings in the stone. A particularly noteworthy Wanamaker screen is much more densely and elaborately decorated
example is the portrayal of the luohan Kalika, characterized by his than the present screen, but is similar in both its fine quality and its
smiling countenance, elaborately curled hair, a buttoned and pleated inclusion of European subjects. It is quite possible that the present
jacket with incised decoration, and an elaborate mother-of-pearl screen was also a commissioned gift by the Kangxi Emperor, judging
shawl. The figure is poised on an elephant, with each fold in the body both by its refined quality and presence of a subject matter that was of
and trunk is meticulously delineated. such interest to the emperor.
The presence of European figures makes the present screen There are other examples of soapstone-inlaid panels decorated with
particularly rare. While European figure were a typical subject- European figures, which were similar to the Wanamaker screen which
matter for the Kangxi Emperor who was particularly interested in feature European figures and European architecture in Western-style
European innovations and technical knowledge, decorative arts from perspective. These include a pair of panels from the C. Ruxton and
the period more commonly depict European subjects in porcelain Audrey B. Love Collection, sold at The C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love
and not on furniture. One example of a Kangxi-period twelve-panel Collection: Important European Furniture and Asian Works of Art;
soapstone-inlaid zitan and hardwood screen, formerly part of the John Christie’s New York, 20 October 2004, lot 478, and a panel offered
Wanamaker Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong on July 7, 2003, at Christie’s New York, 23-24 September 2021, lot 741. Interestingly,
lot 592, and was also published in J. Wanamaker, A Notable Carved the present screen is the only example where the European subjects
and Painted Twelve-Fold Chinese Screen of the Late Seventeenth and are rendered similarly to the luohan and immortals, rather than in
Early Eighteenth Centuries from the Imperial Palace in Pekin, New Western-style perspective.

209