A LARGE PAINTING OF A DOG, AFTER GIUSEPPE CASTIGLIONE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

ink and colour on silk, the monumentally sized painting realistically depicting a greyish-black dog slowly walking on a softly rendered grassy lawn, its posture held upright and its body subtly accentuated with taut muscles, its head depicted with round alert eyes staring out in a distance and a prominently pronounced snout, all beneath floppy ears, its hairy curled tail depicted wagging in motion, the neck loosely decorated with a collar suspending a ruyi-shaped bell subtly echoing the dog's nose, the serene scene highlighted with leafy clusters and pastel shades of peony blossoms and buds depicted growing from the jagged rockwork to the dog's rear and clusters of pine needles emerging from the sides of the painting, signed chen Lang Shining gonghua ('respectfully painted by your humble servant Lang Shining'), followed by two seals reading chen Shining ('servant Shining') and gonghui ('respectfully painted) respectively

Christie's London, 6th June 2000, lot 184.

There are typical foxing, stains, as well as wear and tear. The painting has a few prominent horizontal and vertical creases, suggesting it has been folded up before it was remounted. The painting appears to have been slightly cropped.
"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."