An imperial tribute Guangzhou enamel European-subject 'famille-rose' embossed panel Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period

the repoussé copper plaque finely enamelled with a scene of a merchant trundling a wheelbarrow by the riverside, watched by a man resting on his walking stick with his dog, all against a backdrop of a castle with two gentlemen passing by, with lush trees in shades of purple, light and dark green, and a tranquil flowing river on which ships sail in the distance, later added 18th century gilt frame

Collection of Hermann von Mandl of Vienna, merchant and Consul to the Netherlands in Beijing in the late 19th Century.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30th October 2002, lot 206.

There are two flakes to the trunk of the tree on the left hand side, each approx 0.3 by 0.1cm and 0.3 by 0.2cm, and another on the leaves of the same tree of approx 0.2cm in diameter. There is characteristic crazing to the surface, but the enamel shows only minute gaps to the decoration. The piece otherwise is in generally very good condition overall.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This panel is exceptional both in technique and decoration. The soft colouring is reminiscent of European water-colour painting, while the repoussé technique results in a three-dimensional effect. A panel of similar size, decorated in the same style with a comparable composition, perhaps by the same artist, was included in the exhibition Chinese Painted Enamels, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1978, cat.no. 118, and sold in our Monto Carlo rooms, 23rd June 1986, lot 1169.

Two much larger panels from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, painted in a very similar style and colour scheme with a Chinese landscape with pavilions by a lake, are illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pls. 234 and 235, where they are described as Guangdong tribute wares to the court.

Compare also a smaller plaque painted in a different manner with figures in front of a ruined arch, included in the exhibition Chinese Painted Enamels, China House Gallery, The China Institute in America, New York, 1969-70, cat.no. 28.