Lot 4006. A superbly carved reticulated bamboo cylindrical parfumier, Qing dynasty, 18th century. The cylinder, 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) high. Estimate 1,200,000 - HKD 1,800,000. Price realised HKD 1,220,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  

The parfumier is exquisitely carved in various levels of relief and in openwork to depict the Eight Immortals and three Star Gods led by Shoulao seated on the back of a crane descending from the right through billowing clouds to attend the Queen Mother of the West, Xiwangmu's birthday banquet. Xiwangmu is shown descending from the left on the back of a phoenix accompanied by her attendant on the back of a dragon to a gathering of sages and attendants bearing gifts and auspicious objects, all within the celestial setting of the Kunlun Shan. The mountainous landscape is strewn with bamboo groves, pine trees and wutong emerging from rocky outcrops and waterfalls cascading among the cliffs. The zitan base is carved with four boys at play alternating with Buddhist lions playing with brocade balls raised on four ruyi feet, the pierced zitan cover carved in relief with a pair of confronting dragons emerging form ruyi clouds, stand and cover.

Provenance: Michael Merton, 1970s
The Collection of Mr and Mrs Gerard Hawthorn
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2328.

Note: The fine carving of the zitan base and cover indicate that these are highly likely to have been produced in the Palace workshops in Beijing.

Xi Wangmu's palace at the Jasper Pool in the Kunlun mountains is known for its size and beauty, and for its gardens in which grows a fabulous peach tree. The tree bears magical peaches which confer immortality upon anyone who eats them. They are said to take 3000 years to grow and a further 3000 years to ripen. The cylinder depicts the scene of the banquet that is held when the peaches have been harvested. This event is proclaimed Xi Wangmu's birthday and all the immortals are invited to the Pantao hui (Feast of Peaches) to celebrate by the eating of exotic delicacies and by enjoying musical performances.