Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 6 November 2018
A rare pair of famille rose reticulated cushion-form elbow rests, Yongzheng period (1723-1735)
Lot 241. A rare pair of famille rose reticulated cushion-form elbow rests, Yongzheng period (1723-1735); 8 in. (20.3 cm.) high ; 9 ½ in. (24 cm.) wide. Estimate GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000 (USD 52,280 - USD 78,420). © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.
Each hexagonal elbow rest is crafted in similar form to its silk counterparts. Each upper surface is decorated to the centre with a pierced kui dragon roundel surrounded by ruyi-heads, bats, and shou-character roundels. The faces are each carved and pierced with a shaped panel enclosing a further shou character between two confronting kui dragons, all reserved on a honeycomb ground.
Note: It is remarkable to find elbow rests executed in famille rose, as living accessories of this type are mostly found crafted from silk. Design parallels can be seen in the present lot from the design imitating stitched panels and an embroidered brocade ground. For their embroidered counterparts, see an imperial rectangular elbow cushion dated to the Yongzheng-Qianlong period from the Linda Wriggelsworth collection sold at Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 148, and one in the collection of the Minneapolis Museum of Art dated to the Qianlong period, accession no. 41.67.2.
From the Linda Wriggelsworth collection. An imperial embroidered yellow silk square elbow rest, Yongzheng-Qianlong period (1723-1795). Approximately 11½ in. (29.2 cm.) square x 6¾ in. (17.1 cm.) high. Sold for 4,375 USD at Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 148. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008.
Elbow Cushion, Qianlong period, 1736-1795, Silk, gold threads, embroidery, Gift of Mrs. Augustus L. Searle, Accession Number 41.67.2. © Minneapolis Museum of Art.