AN IMPERIAL CALLIGRAPHIC ALBUM QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

ink on paper, comprising fourteen double-pages between hardwood covers of a deep brown tone, the front cover incised with the title Ya Song Liu Fen and filled in with gold pigment, the first, second, and last two pages of gold flecked paper, the first and second pages each with an Imperial seal mark to the centre, the seals reading Qianlong Yulan zhi bao and Wenjingge bao, the remaining pages each inscribed in kaishu with twelve columns of inscription

The present album titled Ya Song Liu Fen (Elegant Ode to the Floating Fragrance) contains twenty verses written by the Qianlong emperor. Qianlong was a passionate poet and essayist, making many of his personal experiences and observations, as well as items from his vast art collection of calligraphy, paintings, jades and ceramics the subject of his poetic eulogies. The present calligraphic album contains verses inspired by his visits to his favourite sights, temples and studios. He appears to be especially passionate and stirred by the natural beauty of the waters, mountains and pavilions that served as retreats for him. The album shows a private and personal side of the emperor who is clearly moved by nature and the milliard fragrances surrounding it. Although the style of the calligraphy is formal, it may be described as well-written and appealing with a distinct richness given to each character. The brush is handled with skill and the form is pleasing to the eye. It is a fine example of the Qianlong emperor's kaishu (standard) calligraphy, a distinct calligraphic style that was cultivated through extensive study of earlier masters such as the Yuan dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu (AD 1254-1322) who was renowned for his small-scale, xiao kai, calligraphy.   

The well preserved condition of this album is also noteworthy. Qianlong spent many hours in his favourite tiny studio, the San Xi Tang (Room of Three Rarities) located next to the imperial bedchamber in the Yangxin Dian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) in the Forbidden City, where he wrote his poems and calligraphy. Hence the verses in this album may have been written in this studio and kept safely in the palace.

For other examples of Qianlong calligraphic albums see one dated to AD 1753, from the collection of St. John's University, New York, sold in these rooms, 9^th October 2007, lot 1306. An album comprising the impressions of seals from the collection of the Qianlong Emperor, together with his paintings, calligraphy and imperial inscriptions was also sold in these rooms, 9^th October 2007, lot 1305. Compare also an imperial calligraphic album dated to AD 1744 sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28^th November 2005, lot 1228.