A LARGE PAINTING OF A MEIREN QING DYNASTY

gracefully seated on a spotted bamboo chair wearing long elegant robes, gazing outwards languidly, the long hair swept up and back into an elaborate chignon secured by jewels, provocatively raising one sleeve to reveal a slender wrist and forearm, the gauze gown pooling around the feet, its transparency allowing the viewer to glimpse the bright red silk lotus feet, the scene enclosed by a wooden fence, outside of which grow slender blooming white lilies  amongst which a white cat sits peacefully, with two apocryphal artist seals, ink on silk

Collection of Jesse Clyde Nichols (1880-1950), purchased from C.T. Loo, New York, 29th December 1934 and thence by descent.

Overall in good condition except the silk bears a tanned tone due to age. There is restoration to the silk loss. There are minor scratches particularly to the lower half of the painting, and minor stained spots throughout. The color of the blue has faded.
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.

The style of this painting is very close to the screen Twelve Beauties in Palace Interiors (formally titled Twelve Consorts of the Yongzheng Emperor in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing. According to James Cahill, a group works of this style was probably painted by Zhang Zhen, a court artist who was active in the Kangxi and Yongzheng periods (J. Cahill, Pictures for Use and Pleasure: Vernacular Painting in high Qing China, University of California Press, pp. 42-50).