A FINE CHINESE REVERSE PAINTED MIRROR PICTURE circa 1770

depicting a terrace scene before a pavilion with an elegant seated gentleman before a lady proffering wine with a child and an exotic bird in the foreground, with flowering trees and plants, the background with a lake with other pavilions and terraces, with a black and gold trellis ornamented conforming frame.

Frank Partridge & Sons, New York
The Collection of Flora Whitney Miller
Sotheby's, New York, April 11, 1987, Property from the Estate of Flora Whitney

The quality is exceptional with very fine detail to the painting, which has a clearer and cleaner color than seen in the illustration, with more subtle tints the reds in particular being far more subtle in their tints. There are small areas overall in which the paint is a little thin, such as on the windows on the pavilion to the right. The mirrored surface has a few imperfections, and there is the usual crystallization to the edges between silvering and the paint on the skyline. The frame has rubbing and losses to the gilt slip and losses overall to the trellis ornament which requires touching-in.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.