AN OUTSTANDING IMPERIAL CARVED ZITAN THRONE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE.

the wide seat of generous proportions formed from four planks set in a floating panel, framed by an ornately carved three-stepped throne- back centred on a formal lotus head sprouting symmetrical European-styled acanthus leaves and attendant bloom on vines, the reverse side carved with archaistic scrolls suspending a beribboned chime, the side rails further heavily carved with lotus and acanthus leaves with the image mirrored on the exterior, all above a scallloped apron centred on a ruyi-head scroll branching off on either side following the contours of the edge of the apron, repeated on all four sides, the corners of the apron wrapped with an open flower head, each solid square-sectioned leg with beaded edges terminating in an angular ruyi head scroll on the corners, further supported on a stretcher, the wood of deep chestnut tone

From an old Chinese family collection formed in Shanghai during the 1930s.

The overall condition is very good with only very minimal damages. There are two 10 x 1cm strips of replaced wood on the top of the apron, one on the front, one on the back. The seat has a 1 cm filled shrinkage gap. Under the seat, there are four metal brackets that have been added for added support. The throne back has 5 filled holes on the back side. There are a few minor chips to the carving.
"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."

Symbolic of imperial power, thrones were the seats of power where only the emperor could sit and from which he engaged in the business of rulership. Here he presided over a court attended by the highest government officials, celebrated major state occasions, received foreign emissionaries and conducted other matters of state business. Furthermore, as the throne was the main feature of the formal hall of a palace, they were produced according to strict regulations and demanded the utmost standard of skill and expertise in their design and construction.

The refined and deeply carved decoration on this table is an elegant example of the Qing innovation of the blending of Western and Chinese styles. The romantic curling Western acanthus leaves provide an opulent setting for the central Chinese lotus bloom. Such blended designs were conceived by Western and Chinese artists working at the court in collaboration, including the Italian painter Guiseppe Castiglione (Lang Shi-ning, 1688-1766). Motifs such as acanthus leaves had a definite appeal for the Chinese imperial house and nobility, and featured particularly in the decoration of the Qianlong emperor's magnificent European palaces located in the northern part of the Yuanmingyuan. Chinese and Western aesthetics were ingeniously fused together, resulting in highly original masterpieces.

Although it is rare to find thrones decorated with Western and Chinese plant motifs, this stylistic pattern was employed on other furniture; for example, see a red sandalwood chair, decorated with dahlia patterns, from the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 55. The fineness and skill of carving of this throne is closely comparable with imperial zitan furniture, such as a cabinet carved with Western rococo floral motifs, from the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in 'Zitan and Zitan Furniture', Orientations, December, 1994, fig. 5; and a table with acanthus leaves and a peony bloom, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th November 2007, lot 1673.

The archaistic scrolls decorating the back of the throne further highlight the Qianlong emperor's reference to tradition. A throne with closely related archaistic carving is illustrated op. cit., Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 25.