INSCRIBED KANGXI WU SHI YI NIAN, CORRESPONDING TO 1713, AND OF THE PERIOD

Details

A DATED SIX-LEAF INLAID JIAJINGMU AND HUAMU SCREEN
INSCRIBED KANGXI WU SHI YI NIAN, CORRESPONDING TO 1713, AND OF THE PERIOD
One side of each rectangular leaf is carved in relief on the jiajingmu frame with panels to the top and bottom sections, decorated with shaped cartouches enclosing stylised characters amidst sinuous kui dragons. The first and sixth end frames are carved with figures of the Eight Daoist Immortals with attendants, the huamu panels elaborately set with carved inlays of agate, soapstone, quartz, ivory, mother-of-pearl and various other materials, depicting garden scenes with scholars and ladies at various leisurely pursuits, including playing the flute and qin, drinking tea, painting, and burning incense. The reverse is decorated with a lengthy inscription bearing a Kangxi date.
Each panel 74 in. x 18 7/8 in. (188 cm. x 48.5 cm.)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

Large screens decorated with landscape scenes were popular during the Kangxi period, and were an important part of household furnishings, often displayed on special occasions. The present lot is an excellent example of an unusual type, decorated with scenes of elaborately carved inlaid figures in gardens. The inscription on the reverse indicates that the screen was presented as a fiftieth birthday gift to an executive secretary of the imperial court (nei ge xue shi) by his two students Zhang Wenyan and Li Shiji.

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