Chen Bangyan QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

miniature handscroll, ink on gold-flecked pink silk with a silk brocade wrapper, signed Chen Bangyan, listed with 21 Guqin's, the frontispiece entitled Guqin minglu ('A Record of Famous Guqin's'), with seven seals including one seal of the Jiaqing Emperor, Cheng guan zhai, one reading Jing fu ge (Hall of Great Happiness in the Summer Palace), one of Empress Dowager Cixi, Ya dao qing xin, as well as Ji xia jian shang zhi xi, Jiangu, and Wu fu wu dai tang bao.

The scroll has been remounted, but the brocade baoshou ('wrapping head') is possibly original. Apart from some typical foxing to the scroll, there are some minor losses to the edges of the head section paper on which the title was written. There are also some minor losses and restoration (with matching silk) to edges of the gold-flecked silk of the main section, with almost all of the calligraphy well preserved. The overall condition is quite good for its age.
"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 21 famous guqin's listed on the miniature handscroll are Chun lei, Bing qing, Yu zhen huang gu qiu xiao, Qiong xiang, Qiu lai, Huaigu, Nan xun, Daya song xue, Fu qing, Ben lei, Cungu, Han yu, Bai na, Xiang quan, Wu yu, Guan gu yun qing, Xi fan qing jue, Wan huo song, Wu zhong shan, Yu jian ming quan, and Qie tuo luo qin.

Chen Bangyan (1678-1752), zi Shinan, hao Paolu, called himself Chunhui laoren in his later years. He served under the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors. His elegant calligraphy, especially xiao kai (small regular script), is reminiscent of the Ming Dynasty master Dong Qichang's style. After passing the civil service examination in 1703, Chen served in the Qing court and was made the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Rites. In 1726 Chen was found guilty and dismissed for his mistakes in the Qian Mingshi scandal. In 1744, he returned to his official position.