On October 7 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells an important decorative element from the palace of the Qing, lot 3003 estimated HK $ 20M. It is a zhang, a wording that can be translated as a shield, composed of twelve panels of wood 198 x 37 x 2 cm. It is designed as a screen to make a movable separation or wall in a large room of the imperial palace. It shows a hunting scene composed like a procession.
Luxury is extreme. The wood is covered with black lacquer inlaid with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell that support the painted colors and are improved with gold and silver. Its very good condition is remarkable when considering the difficulty to keep the nacre. The reverse is painted in bright colors.
This technique was developed in a workshop that operated at the time of the minority of Kangxi 350 years ago. Its great rarity suggests to attribute the screen for sale to that specific period.
Kangxi was the second emperor of all China in the Qing dynasty of Manchu origin. The figuration includes many Manchu elements including details of clothing and riding women. This scene was intended to decorate a private room where it could remind the Manchu customs without offending the Chinese. This comment is also supporting a dating from the early Qing.
The image is dynamic and funny, with galloping riders, banner holders, hounds, game and birds. Kangxi was a keen hunter for whom immense wildlife parks will be created later. Hunt is also a training for war.
The fifth panel is centered with a character in Manchu imperial dress who chairs the party under a golden canopy. The assumption that he would be the Kangxi emperor himself, resulting that the zhang could be later than his minority, cannot be ruled out.
Luxury is extreme. The wood is covered with black lacquer inlaid with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell that support the painted colors and are improved with gold and silver. Its very good condition is remarkable when considering the difficulty to keep the nacre. The reverse is painted in bright colors.
This technique was developed in a workshop that operated at the time of the minority of Kangxi 350 years ago. Its great rarity suggests to attribute the screen for sale to that specific period.
Kangxi was the second emperor of all China in the Qing dynasty of Manchu origin. The figuration includes many Manchu elements including details of clothing and riding women. This scene was intended to decorate a private room where it could remind the Manchu customs without offending the Chinese. This comment is also supporting a dating from the early Qing.
The image is dynamic and funny, with galloping riders, banner holders, hounds, game and birds. Kangxi was a keen hunter for whom immense wildlife parks will be created later. Hunt is also a training for war.
The fifth panel is centered with a character in Manchu imperial dress who chairs the party under a golden canopy. The assumption that he would be the Kangxi emperor himself, resulting that the zhang could be later than his minority, cannot be ruled out.
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