Lot 621. A rare pair of small famille rose table screens, Republic period (1911-1949); 5 5/8 in. (14.4 cm.) high. Estimate USD 12,000 - USD 18,000. Price realised USD 15,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

Each table screen is made in imitation of a circular plaque raised on a gilt-decorated red lacquer stand. Each ‘plaque’ is decorated primarily ingrisaille with an idyllic ‘winter’ landscape below a four-character inscription that refers to the scene. The reverse is finely enameled on one side with a scene of birds in flight and perched on rocks, below a prunus branch on one, and below bamboo on the other, and includes a poetic inscription in caoshu script followed by an iron-red seal. Each faux lacquer ‘stand’ is pierced with a stylized shou character.

Provenance: Christie's London, 8 November 2011, lot 416.
The Studio of the Clear Garden.

Note: The inscription on the panel with prunus may be translated: 
‘Against the bitter cold several branches of prunus buds blossom, 
the fragrant aroma wafts across and reaches my desk.’ 
The inscription, ta xue xun mei, may be translated, ‘stepping through the snow in search of prunus.’ 
The inscription on the panel with bamboo may be translated: 
‘I enjoy the blissfulness as I relax amidst the bamboo, 
Reading books that were never finished with the flowers surrounding me.’ 
The inscription, gu shan fang he, may be translated, ‘releasing the crane in the lonely mountain.’ 
Compare the small rectangular famille rose table screen (7 3/8 in. high) from the Fong Chow Collection sold at Christie’s New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1207, also with a pierced integral stand with a shou character, and decorated on one side in famille rose and on the other side with a winter scene in grisaille. This table screen was signed He Xuren. 

Christie's. The Studio of the Clear Garden: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 22 March 2018, New York