A FINE IMPERIALLY DATED INLAID HARD WOOD EIGHT-FOLD SCREEN QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, DATED 1771

the central sections of each with black lacquer ground and inlaid with jade, agate, lapis lazuli, malachite, soapstone, ivory, rose quartz, coral and aventurine, depicting scholars at a table with a dog, a hunting scene, an official conversing with an attendant beside a buffalo, a scholar lady and child, two figures beating of a bear and an immortal riding a deer, each bordered with a carved band of scrolling lotus and surmounted with a rectangular panel of twin bats flying amongst scrolling clouds, the lower section with a dragon amongst scrolling clouds, the reverse painted and inlaid with mother-of-pearl with a poetical inscription and panels of vases and landscapes, the upper and lower sections with similar panels of bats and dragons amongst cloud scrolls

This screen is in reasonably good condition, but does have some areas of cracking and chipping to the sides of some of the panels. There is vertical and horizontal cracking to the lacquer in the inlaid panels and some slight thinning to the lacquer in places. There is some slight damages to part of the inlay to the buffalo panel, to the animal and the rocks below. There is also a small part of the one branch missing and there is some damages to the inlay on the figures and the end of the jade sash of the attendant figure is probably replaced. There is a large leaf missing in the third panel from the right (with the bear). There is a replaced piece of rose quartz inlay to the neck of the deer in the fourth panel from the right. There is some minor leaf replacements and omissions in the tree in the hunting panel with the horse. There is also some leaves missing to the tree in the panel with the qilin (third from left), as well as part of the vertical branch. There is possibly some replacement prunus flowers to the first panel from the left and one flower missing and there is a couple of breaks to the tree in the second panel from the left. There is some cracking to the lacquer on the reverse of each panel, and there is a horizontal split to each lower panel, with the fourth one from the right more damaged, where the split has been separated.
"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."