清十八世紀上半葉 銅胎掐絲琺瑯花卉紋卷書式座

modelled as a partially unrolled scroll with the ends forming the feet, the top panel densely and neatly decorated with a diaper of stylised florets with deep blue petals and yellow centres in octagonal frames, all against a turquoise-blue background

Apart from some characteristic pitting to the enamels and a few light surface scratches on the gilt-bronze border, or expected wear on the underside of the feet, the overall condition of the stand is very good. The colours are consistent with the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Stands, which may also function as armrests or low scrolling tables, made in cloisonné enamel are rare. The present example is remarkable for its fine and solid metalwork and gilding, while the decoration is also unusual for consisting entirely of a diaper design which is generally used as a ground motif rather than the main decoration. 

A related example, but with a figural scene in the centre on a similar diaper ground, from the Sedgwick collection, was included in the Oriental Ceramics Society exhibition The Arts of the Ming Dynasty, London, 1957, cat. no. 331; and another, in the Pierre Uldry Collection, is illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonne: The Pierre Uldry Collection, Zurich, 1985, pl. 174. See also a taller stand of related shape, described as a bench, sold in our New York, 17th April 1985, lot 319.

Compare also a stand from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in Zhongguo jinyin boli falangqi quanji [Complete book of gold and silver wares, glass wares and cloisonne enamels], vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 2002, p. 54, pl. 73, with a brocade motif of flower heads dotted evenly over the design; and a cloisonné enamel armrest published in Beatrice Quette, ed., Cloisonne. Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, New Haven and London, 2011, pl. 67, attributed to the Kangxi period.

A low lacquer stand of very similar proportions and shape, decorated with flowers on a similar diaper ground and bearing a Kangxi reign mark is included in LeeYu-kuan, Oriental Lacquer Art, Tokyo, 1972, p. 207, pl. 142, where it is mentioned that ‘this type of work was very popular during K’ang-hsi’s reign and was made at the imperial workshop under the supervision of Liu Yuan’. A cloisonne rectangular censer and cover, bearing a Qianlong reign mark, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3187, also employs a diaper design as the main decoration. Given the quality and simplicity of the decoration, it is suggested that the present stand is also made at the imperial workshop.