清十八世紀 牙雕蘆雁蓮塘圖臂擱

of rectangular form resting on four short bracket feet, the convex surface carved with six geese, including two depicted on a riverbank to the lower section, another perched on reeds issuing from the river, all below a further goose portrayed swooping downward, the concave reverse meticulously decorated in openwork and high relief with large flowering blossoms, including stylised lotus blooms, borne on long stems, the dense designs further accentuated with small clambering frogs and crayfish

In overall good condition, except a small break to one branch of reed on the convex side and a break to the tip of one bamboo leaf towards the shrimp on the top of concave side. Minute nicks to the extremities and fine age cracks as can be expected.
"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."

This piece belongs to a group of wristrests with elaborately carved undersides that appears to have been developed in the Qing Palace Workshops. A wristrest carved with a similar motif was sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2007, lot 95; another, incised with an inscription, was sold in our London rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 201; and a slightly smaller wristrest, from the collection of Robert H. Blumenfield, was sold at Christie’s New York, 25th March 2010, lot 824. See also one carved on the convex side with a similar motif, and with a landscape on the underside, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition Emperor Ch’ien-lung’s Grand Cultural Enterprise, 2002, cat. no. I-43.