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Lot 870
EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)
Grapes
Closed28 May 2022
Price Realised
HKD 756,000
More Information
EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)
Grapes
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
170 x 84.5 cm. (66 7⁄8 x 33 1⁄4 in.)
Signed, with four seals of the artist
Dated spring, yizhou year of Guangxu period (1889)
Colophons by the officials Li Wentian (1834-1895), Pan Zuying (1830-1890), Xu Fu (1836-1908), Wu Shumei (1845-1912), with a total of nine seals
Grapes
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
170 x 84.5 cm. (66 7⁄8 x 33 1⁄4 in.)
Signed, with four seals of the artist
Dated spring, yizhou year of Guangxu period (1889)
Colophons by the officials Li Wentian (1834-1895), Pan Zuying (1830-1890), Xu Fu (1836-1908), Wu Shumei (1845-1912), with a total of nine seals
EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)
Grapes
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
170 x 84.5 cm. (66 7⁄8 x 33 1⁄4 in.)
Signed, with four seals of the artist
Dated spring, yizhou year of Guangxu period (1889)
Colophons by the officials Li Wentian (1834-1895), Pan Zuying (1830-1890), Xu Fu (1836-1908), Wu Shumei (1845-1912), with a total of nine seals
Grapes
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
170 x 84.5 cm. (66 7⁄8 x 33 1⁄4 in.)
Signed, with four seals of the artist
Dated spring, yizhou year of Guangxu period (1889)
Colophons by the officials Li Wentian (1834-1895), Pan Zuying (1830-1890), Xu Fu (1836-1908), Wu Shumei (1845-1912), with a total of nine seals
The Regal Treasures –
A glimpse of works from the Qing Imperial Collection
Since the establishment of the Qing dynasty, the Manchu rulers decided early on to Sinicize in order to facilitate their minority rule over a large Han Chinese population. From Emperor Kangxi onwards, all princes were required to study both Manchu and Chinese so as to strengthen the sovereignty.
This spring we have three outstanding treasures from the Qing court. First is Almanac of the Second Year of the Yongzheng Period (Lot 869). Handwritten in ink and vermilion by the Bureau of Astronomy for the Emperor Yongzheng in 1724, this pocket-size calendar was meant to be a personal belonging of the emperor. The second treasure is Zhao Mengfu’s Washing Horses as catalogued in Shiqu Baoji (Lot 868). A few months before his ascension to the throne, the crown prince Hongli inscribed a long five-character poem on the frontispiece of his beloved handscroll. Once he became emperor Qianlong, he ordered the compilation of Shiqu Baoji where it was officially documented in the Qing imperial collection. The various imperial seals impressed on it together with its original imperial mounting, ‘Eight Treasures’ cord and cord clasp further add value to this masterpiece. Lastly is Grapes by Empress Dowager Cixi (Lot 870), an elegant composition in beautiful colours complemented with colophons by four officials.
Rare and seldomly available, these regal treasures are always sought after by discerning collectors.
A glimpse of works from the Qing Imperial Collection
Since the establishment of the Qing dynasty, the Manchu rulers decided early on to Sinicize in order to facilitate their minority rule over a large Han Chinese population. From Emperor Kangxi onwards, all princes were required to study both Manchu and Chinese so as to strengthen the sovereignty.
This spring we have three outstanding treasures from the Qing court. First is Almanac of the Second Year of the Yongzheng Period (Lot 869). Handwritten in ink and vermilion by the Bureau of Astronomy for the Emperor Yongzheng in 1724, this pocket-size calendar was meant to be a personal belonging of the emperor. The second treasure is Zhao Mengfu’s Washing Horses as catalogued in Shiqu Baoji (Lot 868). A few months before his ascension to the throne, the crown prince Hongli inscribed a long five-character poem on the frontispiece of his beloved handscroll. Once he became emperor Qianlong, he ordered the compilation of Shiqu Baoji where it was officially documented in the Qing imperial collection. The various imperial seals impressed on it together with its original imperial mounting, ‘Eight Treasures’ cord and cord clasp further add value to this masterpiece. Lastly is Grapes by Empress Dowager Cixi (Lot 870), an elegant composition in beautiful colours complemented with colophons by four officials.
Rare and seldomly available, these regal treasures are always sought after by discerning collectors.
Please note the provenance:
Lot 209, 28 November 1990, Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Christie's New York.
請注意此作品來源:
佳士得紐約，中國書畫，1990年11月28日，編號209。
Lot 209, 28 November 1990, Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Christie's New York.
請注意此作品來源:
佳士得紐約，中國書畫，1990年11月28日，編號209。