AN EXTREMELY RARE AND EXCELLENT IMPERIAL KINGFISHER FEATHER AND IVORY HANGING IN A CARVED ZITAN FRAME

Description:

China, Qianlong period
111 x 149 x 6,3 cm
The idyllic mountain landscape filled with multiple animated figures in various scenes of farm and town life among pine trees, bodies of water, bridges, and buildings, made of finely carved ivory and meticulously inlaid turquoise and blue kingfisher feathers on a black velvet ground, glazed and flanked by two vertical panels decorated with carved jade and other stone flowers and insects. The zitan frame carved as a large open handscroll with dragons in relief and two gilt-bronze cloud-shaped mounts.
Former old German private collection, acquired between 1890 and 1900 (an old photograph of the panel dated 09.80 is available)
This panel is an extraordinarily large example of a type of kingfisher-feather-inlaid panels made in the 18th century commissioned by the imperial court. Kingfisher feathers were popular for their enduring colours and started being used to adorn garments and accessories as early as the Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC) and reached their peak in the 18th century. The appliqué technique of cutting and attaching such feathers is called 'diancui'.
Cf. similar panels from the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing, published: 'The Complete Collection of Ming and Qing Furniture in the Palace Museum, Vol. 20, Screens', pp. 626-627, 630-631, 638-639.
The frame slightly chipped, the inlays with minor wear, otherwise in overall good condition
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot has been granted (permit no. DE-SOK 0235/21).