Rare paravent à huit feuilles en laque de Coromandel Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

la face représentant l'arrivée de deux navires marchands étrangers pavoisés, les passagers vêtus à l'occidentale se livrant à la chasse dans un paysage lacustre et montagneux, au pied des remparts d'une cité, la bordure ornée de fleurs diverses et objets mobiliers ; le revers, d'une série de panneaux à décor de paysages, scènes animées, fleurs, oiseaux entourés d'une bordure de fleurs et objets mobiliers

Sotheby's London, 30th April 1976, lot 59.

The figures and the boat are in pretty good condition except the flags on the second panel from the left ; the biggest restoration is to the tree on the third panel from the right ; another restored area to the tree on the fourth panel from the left ; expected crackling to the ground consistent with age ; some losses of lacquer to the edges.
"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."

Screens depicting Europeans are rare and as they are not based on Chinese literature the Chinese craftsmen showed the Dutch traders with a touch of irony. A related eight-fold screen of smaller size depicting a procession of Europeans bearing tributes and a ship on the left, but framed within a key-fret border, was sold at Christie's London, 10th May 1993, lot 49. See also two twelve-fold screens decorated with similar scenes, one in the Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen, and the other in the Brugier collection, both illustrated in W. de Kesel & G. Dhont, Coromandel Lacquer Screens, Gent, 2002, pls 53 and 54.