AN 18TH CENTURY IMPERIAL ALMANAC

Lot 869
28.05.2022 14:30UTC +08:00
Classic
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HKD 2 520 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationHong Kong, Hong Kong
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ID 770799
Lot 869 | AN 18TH CENTURY IMPERIAL ALMANAC
Estimate value
HKD 200 000 – 300 000
AN 18TH CENTURY IMPERIAL ALMANAC
Almanac of the Second Year of the Yongzheng Period
One book with book sleeve totalling four hundred and twenty-eight leaves, ink and vermilion on paper

Each leaf measures 19 x 8.5 cm. (7 1⁄2 x 3 3⁄8 in.)
Dated second year of Yongzheng period (1724)






Post lot text

The Regal Treasures –A glimpse of works from the Qing Imperial CollectionSince 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.
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