EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908) - photo 1

EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)

Lot 870
28.05.2022 14:30UTC +08:00
Classic
Sold
HKD 756 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationHong Kong, Hong Kong
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 770844
Lot 870 | EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)
Estimate value
HKD 150 000 – 200 000
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





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.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
18 Chater Road Central
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Preview
28.05.2022 – 28.05.2022
Phone +85227601766
Fax +852 2760 1767
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