A twelve-panel Coromandel lacquer screen. Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, dated Gengchen year, corresponding to 1700 - Sothebys
The front face carved and painted with the Daoist Paradise, depicting groups of male and female Immortals within a mountainous landscape, all gathering to greet Shoulao,framed by a border of auspicious objects, the reverse with a lengthy inscription which may be translated as the Hanlin Academy official Zheng Kaiji (1639-1717) presenting the screen to Yuweng Chi on celebration of his and his wife Zhang's eightieth birthday, Kangxi cyclical date. Quantité: 12 - 280 by 540cm., 212 1/2 by 110 1/4 in. Estimation: 30,000 - 50,000 GBP
PROVENANCE: Ariane Dandois Gallery, Paris, circa 1980.
NOTE: The reverse of the screen is inscribed with a dedication celebrating the birthday of Yuweng Chi, who is particularly well known for his filial piety towards his ill and weak mother, using his own liver to brew as medicine. Without taking the medicine, his mother miraculously recovered, which was seen as the heavens being moved by his filial act. The incident spread and Chi received many titles of honour.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013 www.sothebys.com