Lanterne en bois laqué et marqueterie de bambou Chine, dynastie Qing, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

de forme quadrangulaire, chaque face agrémentée de quatre petits panneaux rectangulaires en marqueterie de bambou à décor floral encadrant un cartouche polylobé central abritant chauves-souris et lotus stylisés, la partie supérieure et la base en bois finement sculptés, laqués et dorés à décor ajouré de lotus dans des rinceaux fleuris, têtes de ruyi et grecques ; restaurations

Some tears and associated losses to the mesh ground to the four sides of the lantern. The central medalion of the mesh decoration on one side is absent, now replaced with a patch of silk fabric. Some consolidated and patched with what appear to be photographic representations of the original design. Other losses to the applied wanzi diaper ground and floral designs. The lacquered wood in good general condition, most likely re-painted to upper rim.
"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 ornate openwork carving and painted decoration of this lantern, which is particularly notable on the base, is reminiscent of cloisonné enamel lanterns. No other closely related example appears to have been published although wooden lanterns of related architectural form are pictured suspended in situ in the Yangxin Dian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) in the Forbidden City, illustrated in Qingdai gongting shenghao, Hong Kong, 1985, pl. 86; and several pairs of table lanterns photographed in situ in the Imperial wedding chamber in the Kunning gong (Palace of Earthly Tranquility), also in the Forbidden City, is published in Wan-go Weng and Yang Boda, The Palace Museum: Peking. Treasures of the Forbidden City, Beijing, 1982, p. 56.

Compare also a pair of intricately carved lanterns of square section and faceted corners fitted with painted glass windows, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 24^th October 1993, lot 593; and a cloisonné enamel pair of square section with an openwork crown and foot, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29^th May 2007, lot 1642.

The complex openwork carving of the scrolling foot is related to those framing paintings of a ten-fold screen, sold in our New York rooms, 3^rd June 1985, lot 362, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 1^st June 2011, lot 3609.