A very fine Oriental silk table cover China, 19th century

the cream-coloured silk worked in European taste with flowering tendrils issuing from shells, enlivened by birds of paradise and centred by a rosette, the outer border en suite and trimmed in fringes

In overall good condition, slightly soiled and yellowed, few stains. Few minor tears to the fabric. Finely embroidered, bright colours. Composed of three panels.
"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."

Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria and heir to the throne which the Wittelsbach family possessed since 700 years, was born in Munich in 1869 as the eldest son to Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, the later King Ludwig III, and his wife Archduchess Maria Theresia of Austria-Este. In 1886 he entered active military service with the rank of second lieutenant. He interrupted his career in the Bavarian army to study at the universities of Munich and Berlin from 1889 to 1891, attending the Bavarian War Academy in Munich between 1891 and 1893. He soon rose through the ranks but found enough opportunity to explore the East, travelling extensively to countries such as India, China and Japan. After his marriage in 1900 to Duchess Marie Gabrielle (1878-1912), daughter of Duke Karl-Theodor in Bavaria and of his second wife Infanta Maria José of Portugal, he was accompanied on his voyages by his young wife.
In December 1902 they embarked on a journey calling at Singapore, Hong Kong, Canton, Macao, Nanjing and Peking where they were received by the Emperor Kuang-hsu and the Empress Dowager Tz'u-hsi. By April 1903 the royal couple toured Japan and were granted an audience with the Meiji Emperor and Empress Shôken. A black and white photograph, contained in lot 59, shows Princess Marie Gabrielle standing, donning a sailor's outfit, on the photograph she wrote in ink 'poor little mad-cap me!'. The image was taken in 1903 in Tokio by one of the most prominent and finest portrait photographers of Japan, Maruki Riyo (1850-1923).
They returned to Munich via New York in August 1903.

"(...) The Prince and Princess have been on a scientific tour to the Orient, which they have made in the company with the well-known Prof. Heinrich Mayr of Munich, who has published many valuable works on India and Japan (...).
The royal travellers have had an extended tour, they sailed last December from Genoa for India. There they were royally entertained by Lord Curzon [the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905] and by a number of Indian Princes. In Java they explored three volcanoes. From there they sailed to Taku, and then they went to Peking. At Pao-ting-Fuo they were received by the Empress Dowager of China. Afterward Japan was visited.
Princess Maria Gabriele has written home most enthusiastically about her Eastern trip. Like her parents, Prince and Princess Carl Theodor, she is a great lover of nature, and also of music and poetry (...)."

May 1903, New York Times

(excerpt from an article about the Prince and Princess' due arrival by boat from Japan in the United States)

The fine group of textiles including costumes and wall hangings, offered hereafter were all acquired by or given as presents to Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria (1869-1955) and his wife Marie Gabrielle, Duchess in Bavaria during their travels to the Far and Near East.