Page 122 - Fine Asian Works of Art December 19, 2016, SF
P. 122
8192 Though none of the plaques in this lot are signed, they are all very
A FOUR-PANEL WOOD FLOOR SCREEN INSET WITH reminiscent of published works by three of the Eight Friends of
POLYCHROME ENAMELED PLAQUES Zhushan. See, for example, the circular dish published as attributed to
Republic period Wang Qi in Simon Kwan, The Muwen Tang Series: Chinese Porcelain
Each vertical panel comprised of three central sections, the topmost of the Republic Period [Muwen Tang Shoucang Quanji: Minguo Ciqi]
each centered by circular plaques depicting four sages perhaps in (Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd; Hong Kong, 2008) no. 322,
the style of Wang Qi; the middle panels covered by tall rectangular pp. 122-123. That figure compares favorably with the upper register of
plaques of landscapes perhaps in the style of Wang Xiaoting and an sages depicted in the present lot, all sharing intricately rendered and
unidentified later artist; and the bottom sections enclosing quadrilobate engaging facial expressions of which the ceramicist Wang Qi (1884-
bird and flower plaques perhaps in the style of Liu Yucen. 1937) was so accomplished. The birds and flowers in the bottom
55 1/2in (141cm) total height of vertical panels; sections all have techniques and compositions similar to birds and
8, 14 1/2, and 8 3/4in (20.2, 37, 22.2cm) visual heights of plaques flowers by Liu Yucen (1904-1969) [ibid., nos. 72-75, pp. 202-209].
And though one appears to be a later replacement by a different artist,
US$8,000 - 12,000 the remaining three landscape plaques in the middle do seem to share
many of the techniques of Wang Xiaoting (died 1970) [ibid., no. 103,
Provenance pp. 262-263] -- note specifically the similarity of the pavilions to those
Purchased in Hong Kong in the mid-20th century, by repute in the present lot.
120 | BONHAMS
