Un panneau impérial à décor incrusté Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Jiaqing (1796-1820)

à décor de vases fleuris en cloisonnés et pierres dures sur un fond orangé, une inscription impériale en caractères zhuanshu teintés vert dans le coin supérieur droit

Left cloisonné vase: part of stems and leaves missing from plants, repair to left side and lower part of vase and center. Base of stems of flowers missing just above rim of vase, some areas of ivory replacement, rather crudely. Right hand cloisonné vase, base of the stems of the plants missing, loose leaves and area cut out of the rim of the vase. The soapstone peach to the left has missing piece to the wood stand below. The jade lotus to the right has damage to the ivory base.
"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."

The production of complex, high relief encrusted wall screens would have required the involvement of a number of departments within the Imperial workshops, given the various different media, and therefore skills, represented: metalwork, hardstones, wood, all coordinated and strictly controlled by the Zaobanchu (The Household Department).  Few examples of this type of wall screen are extant, but compare a closely related piece with an inlaid poem photographed in situ in a chamber of the Forbidden City, illustrated in The Forbidden City, Hong Kong, 2002, pl.45.  Also see a wall screen decorated with various hardstones, sold in our London rooms, 11^th June 1996, lot 154, and again in our Hong Kong rooms, 23^rd October 2005, lot 362; and another carved with a poem, sold our Hong Kong rooms, 5^th November 1996, lot 1002.