A CLOISONNE ENAMEL GILT-METAL INSCRIBED WALL PANEL WITH PRINCE YONGXING'S (1752-1823) CALLIGRAPHY OF THE QIANLONG EMPEROR'S POEM QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of rectangular form, with a turquoise-enameled diaper ground, applied in six vertical lines with the kaishu-style inscription, each character cast in gilt-metal, signed Yongxing-the eleventh son of the Qianlong Emperor 

The cloisonné panel itself is in overall good condition. There are however a few missing characters and strokes: vertical line 1, 3rd character 'ming' has half stroke missing, the 17th character 'yuan' missing the top horizontal stroke; line 2, the 17th character 'xiang' has a stroke missing; line 4, the 13th character 'gu' entirely missing, with a replacement ; one of the seals 'jing shu' is largely missing, only a part of the frame remaining.
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.

Translation of the inscription:

The Emperor commanded Peng Yuanrui and Cao Wenzhi to examine the Siku Quanshu. How many examples were there of someone having five generations of offspring? They reported to His Majesty: From Tang to Ming, there were six people in total. The Emperor wrote a poem on this significant occasion:

 To have my great-great grandson on my lap is precious,

I ordered my ministers to check how rare this was,

They reported that they had checked the Siku Quanshu,

And only six people had such remarkable fortune.

By chance, it is the same number of emperors who lived until seventy,

I am filled with happiness and my family celebrates.

Heaven sends blessings, upon blessings.

I cannot stop thinking, my love goes to my people

signature and seal: Yongxing, the son and minister

Yongxing (1752-1823), better known as Prince Cheng, was the eleventh son of the Qianlong Emperor. He was one of the best known calligraphers at the Manchu court, and was appointed to be in charge of editing the 'Collectanea of Imperial books' , and was for a short time the acting minister for the Board of Revenue and also as minister of the Board of Civil Office under his brother the Jiaqing Emperor.

Yongxing was with his father on the sixth southern inspection tour in 1784 when Qianlong heard the news that his great grandson was born.  Full of joy, the Qianlong Emperor recorded the event and wrote a poem that was copied by Yongxing.

Another similar imperial cloisonné enamel plaque (perhaps one of a pair together with this present example) mounted as a table, was sold at Christie's London, 10 May 2011, lot 145. A jade plaque with the same inscription is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei (museum ref. K1C005706N000000000).