A RARE PAIR OF IMPERIAL IRON-RED AND GILT-DECORATED PANELS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG – JIAQING PERIOD |

each rectangular panel decorated with four foliate cartouches, enclosing auspicious idioms reading nian nian jiqing ('happiness and joy year after year') and shi shi ruyi ('everything be as one wishes'), against a turquoise ground decorated with multi-coloured clouds, all reserved on an iron-red ground and surrounded by bats and clouds, the inscriptions and outlines picked out in gilt

The plaques are in very good condition and are intact. There are only small areas of minor retouching, including a flake at the top right of a nian character to one (0.6cm) and some minor polished kiln grits to both (largest 0.3cm). Some expected minor firing imperfections and surface scratches.
"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."

Similar plaques include a pair from the Qing Court Collection, now in the Le musée chinois de l'impératrice Eugénie, Château de Fontainebleau, France, also illustrated in an 1863 photograph by Pierre-Ambroise Richebourg (1810-1875) 'Vue du Musée Chinois: composition d'objets chinois dans le salon'.