Page 122 - Christie's, Important Chinese Works of Art December 2, 2015 HK

THE PROPERTY OF AN ASIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR

3128

A MAGNIFICENT IMPERIAL KESI-
EMBELLISHED AND POLYCHROME-
LACQUERED HARDWOOD TEN-FOLD SCREEN

KANGXI/YONGZHENG PERIOD (1662-1735)

The facing side: the eight central panels, each finely painted
on paper to depict five Imperial dragons above lapis-blue and
malachite-green rocks rising from cresting waves, mounted
above gilt and polychrome lacquered panels depicting
hanging flower baskets surrounded by lingzhi and lotus scrolls
within formal gilt borders, the two panels on either end each
embroidered with sixty stylised Shou characters above a smaller
kesi panel and a lacquered dragon roundel;
The reverse side: each of the ten leaves set with a fan-shaped
kesi panel finely woven with seasonal flowers and fruit growing
from behind ornamental rockwork, below rectangular panels
containing paintings on silk depicting flowering branches
within mountainous landscapes, both framed within a dense
floral scroll carved in relief from painted hardwood above
polychrome lacquer and gilt panels, each painted with an
ascending five-clawed dragon within ornately carved hardwood
borders surrounded by peony meanders, all set within a carved
hardwood frame
Each panel 114 x 24 in. (289.7 x 61 cm.)

HK$30,000,000-50,000,000
US$3,900,000-6,500,000

PROVENANCE

Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, Paris
A&J Speelman and Co., London
Sold at Sotheby’s New York, 3 June 1985, lot 362