清雍正 / 乾隆 紫檀嵌黃楊木題「御製五褔頌」插屏

the front of the rectangular panel carved in high relief with a rocky landscape containing pine trees, the reverse inscribed in clerical script with a long imperial poem entitled Yuzhi Wufu Song ('An Imperial Composition: The Ode of Five Happiness'), signed by the calligrapher Yu Minzhong and two of his seals, the characters filled in with gold, all secured in a separate stand with upright posts set with lotus bud finials, the dark zitan wood contrasted with the golden yellow boxwood scroll spandels and a central panel containing stylised chilong with interlinked bodies, above an openwork apron carved with archaistic key-fret between the arched feet 

香港蘇富比1991年4月30日，編號139
香港佳士得1998年4月26日，編號571

安思遠，《洪氏所藏木器百圖第二卷》，香港，2005年，頁152-153，編號78

There are some missing and loose pieces that can be re-glued, the overall condition is quite good. The gilding on the back has some minor, expected wear. The stand and the screen appear to be associated.
"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."

Table screens come in a variety of materials and designs and this example is unusual for the depth of the landscape carving and the stand which incorporates boxwood with zitan. The upright rectangular posts, inspired partially by western architectural design, with leaf-tip finials, relate to similar posts forming the legs and other decorative elements on an imperial workshop chair from the Lin Muhe collection illustrated in Splendor of Style: Classical Furniture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, National Museum of History, Taipei, 1999, p. 97.

The reverse of the screen includes a long inscription translated as: 'An Imperial Composition: The Ode to Five Happiness' (Yuzhi Wufu Song). The beginning of the text refers to the 'Hong Fan' chapter in the 'Venerated Documents' (Shangshu), one of the 'Five Classics' (Wujing).  It was said to be written by the late Shang Dynasty royal official Ji Zi who recorded the vision of the world.  He mentions that the number 'five' is the ultimate and all encompassing number.  In the present ode,  'The Five Happiness,' are listed as: longevity, wealth, good health and peace, generosity and virtue, and a natural death without pain.  A lengthy analysis of this inscription is included in Ellsworth, op cit. no.78. The inscription calligrapher was Yu Minzhong and references within it indicate it was likely composed by the Kangxi emperor.

For a similar example of this type of panoramic landscape carving, executed in an equally vigorous style, see the side and back panels of an imperial throne in the Capital Museum in Beijing, illustrated by Tian Jiaqing in Classic Chinese Furniture of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 54 and other screens of varying size in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Two Hundred Pieces You Should Know. Red Sandalwood Furniture, Beijing, 2008, pls. 180-197.

For a similar carved zitan panel set in a differing zitan stand, see a piece sold at Christie’s London, 18th May 2012, lot 1194.