A large painted chinoiserie panel, in the manner of Andien de Clermont 18th century

The colours are slightly paler overall and more attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The border where the piece has been secured to a wall in the past is showing some wear (it has been cut off and is not visible in the photograph) and would benefit from some attention as it is temporarily fixed to wooden battens at the moment -maybe some rebacking so that the piece can easily be secured to its new location. It can be rolled though like material when taken off the battens. The detail of the painting is good although slightly faded in parts. There are some minor losses to the paint as visible from the photograph eg. by the far right tree in the leafy area-showing white in the centre above the pagodas and some other minor areas. The panel has been constructed in sections as visible from thecatalogue photograph. There are some minor areas of the canvas that have been damaged but can easily be repainted and some restorations to tears. Most impressive large size and a rare piece in overall good original condition and highly recommended.
"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."

Andien de Clermont was brought up as a flower painter under Antoine Monnoyer (who was the son of the more famous Jean Baptiste) with whom he probably came to England in 1717. He may also have had other masters besides Monnoyer or he may have formed his style on the many engravings after Gillot, Audran and Watteau which were then in circulation. After his arrival in England, he worked in several major English houses including Melbury in Dorset, Wilton for the Earl of Pembroke, Radnor House, Twickenham, Syon House, Middlesex for the Ist Duke of Northumberland and Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire producing highly decorative room schemes.

His speciality was a type of grotesque which had come into being at the court of Louis XIV during the latter part of the 17th century. The structure of grotesque and which he followed, latterly became lighter and came increasingly to oust the classical, taking on the distinctinctive forms  of Chinoiserie, Turquerie and Singerie.

The aspect of the genre that Clermont is best known for is Singerie. One of his most lively compositions of this genre can be seen in a ceiling at Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire. Although we might have expected Clermont to have practised the French variety of Chinoiserie perhaps combining it with Singerie, no authenticated Chinese decorations by him are known. However it is interesting to compare the maskheads and the trellis and scallop decoration forming part of the Kirtlington composition with the offered lot as there are strong stylistic similarities which suggest an artist in his circle.

There was a great vogue for Chinoiserie decoration in England in the middle of the 18th century and apart from the stylistic similarities to the Kirtlington ceiling other details such as the chair and table depicted which are of an English form would also seem to support an English attribution and provenance. Popular in England at this time were pavilions often of Chinese form in pleasure gardens and a number are recorded including one in the famous Vauxhall pleasure gardens,  and another at Boughton House and it is possible that the offered panel formed part of the decoration of such a pavilion.

For further comparisons see Sotheby`s sale at Syon House, 14 - 16 May 1997, lots 17-20, the Clermont Murals commissioned by Hugh, Ist Duke of Northumberland circa 1750 and also a panel  matching the present lot was sold Sotheby`s London, Important English Furniture, 6th June 2006, lot 254.