Page 141 - Bonhams Asian Art London November 5, 2020

125 TP Y
A LARGE HONGMU ‘DRAGON’ FOUR LEAF SCREEN The skilful workmanship has been inspired by the exceptional production
Late Qing Dynasty of furniture manufactured for Imperial use during the celebrated Qianlong
The four leaves arranged in a symmetrical fashion, similarly carved with reign, which fully reflected the emperor’s artistic taste and created a
each rectangular section depicting a sinuous dragon striding amidst legacy of immense splendour. See for example, a zitan cabinet, 18th
vaporous clouds, the central panel set between three reticulated century, decorated with dynamic dragons against a dense landscape
panels intricately decorated with interlocking designs of trialling clouds, of swirling clouds, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of
the creating with further striding dragons riding the clouds, embellished the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, vol.2,
with a mother-of-pearl floral inlay. Hong Kong, 2002, p.296, no.249. The designs carved on the screen
Each panel 221cm (87in) high x 50cm (19 6/8in) wide (4). underscore several layers of auspicious symbolism related to Imperial
and religious might and good life. Dragons emerged in early China
£15,000 - 20,000 as totems for ancestral worship, however, they were also deemed to
CNY130,000 - 180,000 control rain and clouds, ensure prosperity and material abundance and
be associated with Imperial might. Dragons also symbolised virtue and
good fortune. According to the Xiaojing Shoushenqi, compiled during
清晚期 紅木雕雲龍紋四開屏風 the Han dynasty, ‘Where virtue dwells and water pools, the Yellow
Dragon manifests itself – a sign of the ruler.

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please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.