- 248
Map, Beijing
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
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Description
- A large painted map of Beijing on silk. [China, Daoguang period (1820-1850)]
- watercolour on silk
WATERCOLOUR AND INK ON SILK (1740 x 1450mm.), extensively annotated with the names of buildings and streets, modern mount and frame, some old repairs, loss and wear, frayed at edges
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
A RARE AND FINELY PAINTED BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF BEIJING, DETAILING AND NAMING THE MAIN STREETS, NOTABLE BUILDINGS, TEMPLES, FEATURES, FORTIFICATIONS AND DEFENCES OF THE FORBIDDEN, IMPERIAL AND INNER CITIES.
Beijing was built along a north-south axis and divided by walls into four city sections: the Forbidden city, Imperial city, Inner city, and Outer city. This map shows the first three, with the Forbidden city at its centre, surrounded by a massive wall with four gates, along with four corner towers; next comes the Imperial city within which are three lakes to the west, aligned north to south: the Northern Sea, Central Sea and Southern Sea. The Imperial city is surrounded by a fortified wall with six gates, outside of which is the Inner city, also called Jingcheng ("capital city") or Dacheng ("big city"), the Inner city is itself surrounded by another massive wall, which was 15 miles long, 50 ft. high and 65 ft. thick at its base.
Beijing was built along a north-south axis and divided by walls into four city sections: the Forbidden city, Imperial city, Inner city, and Outer city. This map shows the first three, with the Forbidden city at its centre, surrounded by a massive wall with four gates, along with four corner towers; next comes the Imperial city within which are three lakes to the west, aligned north to south: the Northern Sea, Central Sea and Southern Sea. The Imperial city is surrounded by a fortified wall with six gates, outside of which is the Inner city, also called Jingcheng ("capital city") or Dacheng ("big city"), the Inner city is itself surrounded by another massive wall, which was 15 miles long, 50 ft. high and 65 ft. thick at its base.
A similar painted map on silk, which includes the Outer city, is preserved in the National Library of China, and was recently exhibited at the National Library of Australia in their exhibition Celestial Empire: Life in China, 1644-1911 (2 January to 22 May 2016).