A Singaporean carved and polychrome octagonal hall lantern, dated 1849

with pierced panels inset into a crushed mother-of-pearl ground and later glass lustres, inscribed 'Respectfully installed on an auspicious day in an auspicious month during yisi year of Daoguang period (corresponding to 1845) / With gratitude from Su Yuanquan from Shenqing Society in Quanjun Tongyi / Respectfully lacquered on an auspicious day in the tenth month during maoshen year of Daoguang period (corresponding to 1849) / With gratitude from Xue Wenzhong from Dongshan Society in Zhangjun Puyi', adapted for electricity

Reputedly presented to the Marquess and Marchioness Dalhousie by the merchants of Singapore in 1850.

This impressive lantern is good original condition, with marks and scratches consistent with age and use. There are some breakages and losses overall on the carved bottom frieze. There is some flaking to the red lacquer and gilded surface and minor losses to the crushed mother-of-pearl ground. Although it has been fitted for electricity, it will require the attention of a professional electrician. One foot replaced. Movement to joints which would benefit from attention and fitted with later glass swags/festoons added to the base as visible in the catalogue photograph. This piece would greatly benefit from a light clean.
"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 present hall lantern, together with the polychrome stand at lot 125, was most likely carved by Chinese émigré craftsmen working in Singapore in the mid-19th century. The Marquess and Marchioness Dalhousie voyaged to Singapore in 1850. In a letter to Sir George Couper, Dalhousie recalls ‘in the crowd, at my landing, there were members of seventeen different nations!! It is a wonderful place – thirty years ago a piratical fishing village – now an immense rendezvous far all nations, with nearly 60,000 permanent inhabitants’ (Ed. J. G. A. Baird, Private letters of Marquess of Dalhousie, London, 1910, p. 112-113). An obelisk was built to commemorate the visit, which once stood outside Raffles and is now located on the North Bank in Downton Core.