A rare Chinese export painted moiré silk hanging panel, for the Northern European market, mid 18th century

comprised of three joined silk moiré panels, painted in shades of blue with a repeat pattern of reserves of figures in 18th-century dress flanked by floral sprays, incorporating deer and putti, all above a repeat relief landscape scene with a scene of a lady at her dressing table, possibly 'Vanity' attended by servants, and with an allegorical figure of 'Time' seated against a tree, and a Chinese figure flanking the scene on the left side, with extant original yellow selvedges

The panel is comprised of three vertically joined strips, each strip measuring approximately 72cm. wide. Each of the moiré silk panels, is applied to a very fine muslin backing. There is evidence of the original yellow selvedge on outer edges of left and right panels, not present on central panel. There are some minor losses, for example in the lower right corner, and some horizontal lines (old folds). The panel is in very good condition for its age. For display in future, it could be professionally mounted and framed. This is a very unusual and highly decorative lot.
"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."

For a comparable large polychrome painted large silk panel (219cm by 171cm), Chinese, 18th century, for the Export Market, see, Chinese Textiles, Exhibition, Spink & Son Ltd, London, 5th - 23rd December 1994, No. 58. The panel is comprised of two joined panels, with a floral border on the sides and lower edge. It is polychrome painted and although the compositional conception is very similar and includes the rows of birds between the cartouches, alternating with rows of deer, as in the present panel, it differs in including Chinese figural types and not European depicted in the cartouches and within the landscape vignettes along the lower section. In addition there is a similar polychrome painted silk moiré shaped fragment (from a dress), Chinese, Qing Dynasty, circa 1788, in the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Costume and Textile Department: Acc. No.1897-666: Gift of Charles Henry Hart 1897). Reputed to have been brought from China to Philadelphia on the ship Alliance, by Robert Morris (China trader and investor). Very little of the painted silks, used for clothing, bed or window hangings survive. This rare fragment has the extant original yellow selvedge on one edge, which is considered to be characteristic of Chinese trade silks. A similar panel to the blue and white panel offered is reputedly in the Royal residence of Drottningholm Castle, near Stockholm, Sweden.

For discussion of the influence of Chinoiserie, see Gill Saunders, Wallpaper in interior design, V&A, 2002, Chp.6., Chinese Wallpapers and Chinoiserie Styles, pp.63-73. Chp.14, Silks, Embroideries and Domestic Fabrics, pp.370-389, pl.244, p.377.