A BROWN-GROUND TWELVE PANEL COROMANDEL LACQUER SCREEN OF 'SPRING MORNING IN HAN PALACE' QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

well carved and painted with a festive scene of elegant court ladies and happy children after a painting by Qiu Ying (1494 - 1552) of this theme, in a sweeping and elaborate setting of terraced pavilions amidst ornamental rocks and formal gardens, with guests arriving at the gate bearing gifts, waiting to be escorted over the foot bridge overlooking revelers in a boating party, the Lady of the Palace and her court seated in the central pavilion being entertained by dancers and a troupe of women musicians, in the courtyard below women watching over numerous children at play, catching butterflies or admiring the blossoming magnolia and peach trees, several celebrating spring by holding small sprigs of flowers, in the adjoining pavilion groups of ladies shown engaged in the pursuit of literati and courtly accomplishments, painting, reading, playing chess, playing the qin, embroidering, and competing in the 'arrow vase' game, all within borders of 'Precious Objects' and flowers, the reverse with one hundred renditions of the shou character and auspicious sayings

Characteristic vertical cracks along each panel, now stabilized. Losses and dents along the edges with repainting. Losses to pigments in the main scene but minimal repainting. Standard very fine horizontal crackling. Overall very good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This screen is part of a classic group of coromandel screens illustrating the popular theme of court ladies and children with a few men in attendance, all set in palatial pavilions celebrating the arrival of Spring. From the arrangement of the architectural elements and grouping of the figures within the palace grounds as well as certain landmark features such as the arched footbridge over the ornamental pond and the massive scholar's rocks in the center foreground, and the terrace studio on the left where the women embroider and play the game of arrow vases, we may attribute this screen to a specific workshop. A screen in the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institute, depicting an almost idential composition and bearing a cyclical date corresponding to 1662, is illustrated by W. De Kesel and G Dhont, Coromandel Lacquer Screens, Gent, 2002, pp. 49 - 40. Another from this group, but with a border of fantastic beasts, was sold in these rooms, September 21st 2006, lot 48.