An Exceptionally Rare Imperial Cloisonne Enamel And Gilt-Bronze Circular Plaque and Stand. Qianlong Incised Four-Character Mark And Of The Period (1736-1795). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2012

The circular panel is decorated on one side in a variety of coloured enamels to depict a landscape scene with fishermen upon a sampan and scholars on the riverside before a pavilion nestled among a tree-lined mountainous backdrop. The other side of the panel is decorated with nine cranes in different attitudes situated among the river banks, ornamental rock, pine trees and bamboo. Surrounding the panel is a gilt-bronze two-layered border modelled in the form of bamboo, with the mark incised on the top. The separately constructed cloisonné enamel stand is naturalistically cast in the shape of a plum-blossom tree trunk growing on uneven ground forming the base. It is exquisitely decorated with gilt-metal embellishments including two smaller branches bearing colourful blossoms, a bird perched on a truncated branch, a pair of clambering squirrels, and a pair of cranes wading through a shallow stream. 27 in. (69 cm.) overall height, stand. Estimate HK$6,000,000 - HK$8,000,000 ($777,796 - $1,037,061)

Notes: The present screen appears to be unique. A related circular screen with a pair of cranes in landscape framed within a stylised cloud scroll frame is illustrated by H. Brinker and A. Lutz in Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, 1989, no. 321. The Uldry example is much smaller at 33 cm. high, but it is interesting to note its shell-shaped stand that forms a receptacle, detailed with a mould of crested waves below openwork ruyi-clouds, on which its circular plaque is mounted. Of particular note is the superb detailing of the prunus tree with its lively portrayal of activities including a partial view of a squirrel's head emerging out of the tree trunk.

The treatment of pine trees and cranes on the Uldry screen is similar to those on the present screen. This decorative style originated from bird and flower paintings of the early Qing period, and made popular by artists such as Shen Quan (1682-1760). An example of Shen Quan's painting, depicting a pair of cranes standing on a gnarled pine tree, in the Phoenix Art Museum is illustrated byCloisonné, Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, 2011, p. 143, fig. 7.26. Panels, either as floor/table screens or wall-hangings, rendered in cloisonné enamel worked particularly well with scenes of mountain landscapes, and were very popular during the Qianlong period. For two large examples see, Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Enamels 3, Cloisonne in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Forbidden City Publishing House, 2011, pp. 88-89, nos. 55 and 56.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 28 November 2012. Hong Kong