Page 199 - Sothebys Important Chinese Art 09/13/17
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PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF PROVENANCE Jean Germain Cassel Van Doorn
JOSEF BURGER 1882 1953
Collection of Baron Jean-Germain Cassel Van
A TWELVE-PANEL ‘EIGHTEEN Doorn (1882-1953), New Jersey (by repute), 1960
SCHOLARS’ COROMANDEL acquired circa 1960, and thence by descent.
SCREEN
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY Emperor Taizong (r. 626-649) of the Tang
dynasty, while still Prince Qin, was granted
the panels well-carved with a continuous scene the authority to recruit his own elite council
depicting the convening of the famous ‘Eighteen of advisors. He established the Institute of
Scholars of the Tang’, many engaging in literati Literary Studies, comprised of some of the most
pursuits such as calligraphy, painting, music, accomplished and erudite Confucian scholars.
others conversing, enjoying cups of wine, and still Its members lived within the imperial household
others arriving carrying bundles of books, some and were supplied with ne cuisine and wine. The
on foot, some on horseback, at the palace gates, scholars were divided into three shifts, with six
all amidst a verdant garden setting of rich foliage members on duty at all times to accommodate
and elegant furnished pavilions, and bustling Prince Qin’s irregular schedule. In honor of this
attendants, the ‘Hundred Antiques’ along the august assemblage, after ascending the throne,
top border and real and mythical beasts below, Emperor Taizong commissioned the imperial
the outer panels each with a single writhing four- artist Yan Liben (circa 601-674) to depict the
clawed dragon and further beasts, the reverse eighteen scholars. The present composition is
undecorated most likely derived from the recorded description
Height 101¼ in., 257.2 cm; Width of each panel of a Song Dynasty rendering of the famous group
20 in., 50.8 cm of scholars, which portrayed them gathering in
small groups in an outdoor setting. This format
evolved in the Ming dynasty to incorporate and
formalize the ‘Four Accomplishments’; mastery
of calligraphy, painting, weiqi and the qin.
$ 50,000-70,000
IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 197
