A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
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These lots have been imported from outside the EU … Read more
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET

CIRCA 1910

Details
A SILK AND METAL-THREAD CHINESE CARPET
CIRCA 1910
Depicting parts of the grounds of the Summer Palace, Beijing, a few minor spots of wear, fringes added at one end, overall very good condition
12ft.1in. x 9ft. (367cm. x 274cm.)
Special notice
These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction. Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
Sale room notice
Please note that this lot should be marked with a filed square ▪. As such the lot will be removed to Cadogan Tate after the sale. For further information please contact the department or see the Storage and Collection pages at the back of the catalogue.

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Sara Plumbly
Sara Plumbly

Lot Essay

The five Chinese characters within the upper, outer navy plain stripe read; ‘Jing Fu Ge’, which refers to the Hall of Utmost Blessing within the Summer Palace.

Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace was originally known as the 'Garden of Clear Ripples' and was used as the pleasure garden for the Chinese royal family. Building began in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate the 60th birthday of his mother, the Empress Dowager Chongqing. Sadly it was twice looted, first in 1860 by the British and French troops following the end of the Second Opium War, and once again in 1900 by the Eight-Nation Alliance towards the end of the Boxer Rebellion. It wasn't until 1914 that it opened its doors to the public and in 1998 was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The design of the present carpet is a relatively accurate depiction of the Longevity Hill, which is crowned by the Tower of Buddhist Incense atop its twenty-metre-high stone base. In the foreground one can see the Kunming Lake, a man-made construction covering over five hundred acres. To the left-hand side of the lake is the Stone Boat, rebuilt in 1860 out of marble, and in the centre, is the Seventeen-Arch Bridge leading to Nanhu Island. It is unusual to find such topographical observations within a carpet design rather than the more frequently encountered configurations of dragons or overall floral or geometric designs, such as that in the previous lot in the present sale, and it is probable that the weaver was greatly inspired by the medium of Chinese scroll paintings. A carpet that depicts a counterpoised pavilion set amongst the Hanging Garden of the mythical Kunlun Mountain, is illustrated in Il Drago e il Fiore d’Oro, exhibition catalogue, Museo d’Arte Orientale, Turin, 2015, pl.XXX, p.129. A number of auspicious symbols are depicted around the pale lemon-yellow border of the present carpet, which include the 'Wheel' and 'Vase' from the Eight Buddhist Symbols and the 'Chessboard' and 'Books' from the Four Gentlemanly Accomplishments (E. Gans-Ruedin, Chinese Carpets, Tokyo, New York & San Francisco, 1981, p.29).

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