AN IMPERIAL GILT-DECORATED LACQUER 'LANDSCAPE' SCREEN QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG PERIOD

consisting of seven panels with the largest panel in the centre flanked by pairs of panels descending in size, the tops of the panels with a stepped profile, each panel finely painted in different shades of gold and applied gold leaf against a black lacquered ground, depicting pavilions, pagodas in 'floating' landscape scenery with cranes and fishermen on boats, enclosed within a cash and geometric floral diaper border, all above a rectangular panel decorated with bats, flowers and archaistic scrolls, the reverse missing its silk panels, enclosed with similar a diaper border, above a rectangular panel enclosing a full frontal five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl on a cloud ground enclosed within floral and archaistic scroll border, stand

Collection of Léopold Davout d'Auerstaedt (1829-1904), France.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 9th October 2007, lot 1309.

The overall condition is very good with only minor age cracks repaired and minor chips to the edges restored. The restoration is very light and well done. The backside is missing its original silk panels. The panels were originally hinged and possibly had 2 more additional panels on the sides. The surface has been protected with a light layer of clear varnish.
"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."

Many Japanese lacquers were imported into China during the sixteenth and seventeen centuries. During the Yongzheng reign, the court workshops were encouraged to make lacquers in the Japanese style, known in Chinese as yangqi, 'foreign-style lacquers'. The Yongzheng Emperor was noted to have been quite fond of black lacquer ware. Thus the present example has extensive decoration in gilt on a black lacquer ground. Although the original techniques of lacquering were developed in China, they were particularly lavishly exploited in Japan. Thus, the Chinese court associated a strong emphasis on gold decoration with Japan. The decoration was used on lacquer boxes as well as cabinets and screens.

The gilt-painted side of the screen was often paired on the reverse with silk tapestries or paintings. See a nine-panel screen in the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, vol. 54, Beijing, pl. 198 where there are small gilt-painted landscape panels enclosed within Japanese style floral medallions. The interiors of cabinets were also often decorated in this style. See a lacquer display cabinet with a landscape interior illustrated in ibid. no. 216.

Léopold Davout was a French general of the Second Empire and third Duc d'Auerstaedt, a title originally held by his uncle Louis Nicolas Davout (1770-1823) (a successful Marshal of France during the Napoleonic Era). The title of Duc d'Auerstaedt was resurrected by an Imperial edict of Napoleon III in 1864. Davout was born to a Burgundian noble family and served in the French Army from 1849 until 1877. He took part in Napoleon III's Franco-Prussian War.