A SPINACH-GREEN SCREEN WITH AN IMPERIAL POEM QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

carved on both sides with the front depicting a landscape scene with nine scholars engaging in the 'Four Scholarly Pursuits', one of them carrying books over the bridge with another directing, three of them in appreciation of a painting, two of them playing and listening to the qin individually, a pair enjoying a game of chess in the pavilion, set in a landscape with various rock formations and trees consisting bamboo, prunus, pine and paulownia, the reverse bearing a carved poem by the Qianlong Emperor dated 1751, the stone in varying dark and lighter tones, carved wood stand

The overall condition is very good with only a minor 1.5 cm chip to the lower left edge (visible only on the reverse) and at the top on the front, the bamboo leaf is slightly chipped. On the top 2 corners there are very minor old chips. On the reverse, at bottom there is a small 1cm original rough square patch that one of the characters in the poem was carved over. The actual colour is slightly deeper than in the catalogue illustration.
"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 imperial jade carvings in China reached a peak in the Qing dynasty, particularly during the reign of Qianlong. Imperial jade production from this period is noted for several distinctive characteristics.  Firstly, the carvings were of refined and exceptional quality, exhibiting a craftsmanship often referred to as 'Qianlong workmanship' (Qianlong gong). Secondly, the sizes and the subject matter varied greatly due to the increasing availability and variety of jade. Particularly popular were jade mountains depicting natural scenery.  Thirdly, imperial poems composed by Emperor Qianlong were regularly inscribed on the jade artefacts.  While some poems explicitly describes the Emperor's fondness of the specific pieces of jade he owned, some serve as a complement to the design.

Not only does this piece embody all of the aforementioned characteristics, the depiction and inscription about jiu lao hui chang ('The Nine Elders of Huichang') also demonstrates the Emperor's devotion to Confucian's ideal of respect for the Elderly.  The historical gathering was held by Tang poet Baijuyi and his scholarly friends in the Luoyang mountains.  Another jade carving also depicting the meeting of the nine elders can be found in the Bejing Palace Museum, illustrated in Jadeware (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 78.

The poem on the reverse can be found in the Yuzhi Shiji, ('Text from the Anthology of Imperial Poems'), yuzhishierji, juan 22-7.