A GUANGDONG POLYCHROME AND CARVED IVORY PLEASURE BOAT QING DYNASTY, CIRCA 1840

intricately carved and pierced, the deck with a long screened room enclosing figures at leisure, with further figures seated and standing on the prow and upper deck, the upper deck similarly carved with screened rooms and a promenade lined with jardinieres of plants

The ivory boat is in good overall condition with the exception of small breaks and losses including, but not limited to, the pierced floral panels, one of the upper deck floor panels, and to the roof panels at the prow of the boat; and some lifting to the oblong panels along the side deck; minor losses and repair to the figures. The boat is offered with a wood stand and glass dome.
"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."

This intricately carved boat illustrates the extraordinary skill displayed by the Chinese ivory carvers. Their use of a variety of drilling and carving tools produced a wide range of techniques suited to pierced screens and complicated scenes of figures carved in relief.

Pleasure boats were well known to the European merchants, who were otherwise confined to the Factories, or Hongs, along the waterfront at Canton, and they plyed the maze of channels and estuaries between Canton and Whampoa carrying  music parties and dinner parties and other pleasurable pursuits.