A SUITE OF TWENTY-FOUR CHINESE-EXPORT WALLPAPER PANELS, CIRCA 1790-1810
A SUITE OF TWENTY-FOUR CHINESE-EXPORT WALLPAPER PANELS, CIRCA 1790-1810
watercolour on paper, forming an aviary of exotic and wild birds amongst a forest of flowers, shrubs and trees, each numbered in manuscript to the reverse, several with Chinese characters
Photographed here before conservation by Allyson McDermott.
each approximately: 361cm. by 94cm., 11ft. 10in. by 3ft. 1in.
Condition Report:
This exceptional suite of wallpaper is one of the best groups to come to auction market in some time. The colours are much better in the flesh than on Sothebys.com or in the printed catalogue, and quite extraordinary. The paper of each would benefit from a clean by an expert as there is some ingrained dirt and because of being stored for 200 years.
There are images available on request which show condition and any conservation.
There are throughout historic marks, smudges and stains, generally these do not detract unless specified. There are small occasional tears to the sides. Some sheets with horizontal creasing. Each sheet has undergone initial conservation prior to the sale, this is in the form of stabilising conservation tape to tears and white conservation paper to support losses. This conservation is not reflected in the catalogue photography. Each sheet is numbered in ink (this appears contemporary with the age of the panels) to the top left corner of the reverse except sheet 11 where there is a loss at this site. There are Chinese characters to the top left reverse of several panels (apparently translating in part as Feng?). There are various modern pencil numbers to the reverse. One sheet is missing (possibly that between sheets 17 and 18) however this does not detract from the overall effect. It is curious too as the inked numbers appear contemporary and these sets are often in runs of 24.
PANEL:
No.1
Slight crease left to right. Minor tears to edges. Small stains. Ink blot to top. Sensitive repairs to tears.
No.2
Some minor pin-prick holes to the top area. Faint vertical lines through paint of grass.
No.3
Repaired tears. Conservation tape to these sites. Vertical marks to painted grass area. Crease right to left through lower purple bird.
No.4
Generally good condition. Creasing to the sides at water. Losses of paint to pink breast of bird. Faint vertical marks through bottom. Tiny pin-prink to top left of paper.
No.5
Typical creases. Some vertical marks through grass. Smudging through one flower and duck head. Duck is beautifully painted.
No.6
Large Crease above peacock’s tail. Vertical marks to green paint of grass. Repaired tears.
No.7
Some patching. Crease from left to right. Wear to green paint.
No.8
Large crease across panel. There are some vertical marks to the bottom. Some consolidating conservation tape to historic tears.
No.9
Some discolouration although generally in good order though. Fold to right side. Some smudges.
No.10
Repaired tears to top left.
No.11 (this lacks an inked number but fits in this order)
Some typical small tears to sides and old creases. With some patches.
No.12
Repaired tears. Some spotting and ingrained dirt to upper section of the panel.
No.13
Creases top right of panel and some repairs. Some staining and spotting.
No.14
Very narrow vertical strip of discolouration to right edge. Notable creases. Some tears unrepaired.
No.15
Losses to some blue paint. Marks to top right. Chinese characters to the reverse of the top.
No.16
Creased left to right. Repaired at edges. Typical losses to paint. Historic watermark to the top.
No.17
Two creases from left to right. Patched to the top.
No.18
Corner section lacking to top (see catalogue illustration) however this area lacking was not decorated with paint. Tiny crushed bug attached!
No.19
Crease above bird of paradise. Typical repairs. Losses to paint of cockatoo and bird wings. Pencil mark above bird on top left.
No.20
Some restored patches. Creases across middle left to right and losses to paint at these sites. Repaired tears. Sides with typical creases.
No.21
Losses to paint. Vertical marks to green paint. Some black marks.
No.22
Crease to bottom left to right. Old marks and some minor paint smudges. Some staining.
No.23
Some losses to green paint. Losses to paint of the bird top middle. Four small marks.
No.24
Patches to top. Water stain (very old) to top. Cockerel is nicely drawn.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale...
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A SUITE OF TWENTY-FOUR CHINESE-EXPORT WALLPAPER PANELS, CIRCA 1790-1810
watercolour on paper, forming an aviary of exotic and wild birds amongst a forest of flowers, shrubs and trees, each numbered in manuscript to the reverse, several with Chinese characters
Photographed here before conservation by Allyson McDermott.
each approximately: 361cm. by 94cm., 11ft. 10in. by 3ft. 1in.
Condition Report:
This exceptional suite of wallpaper is one of the best groups to come to auction market in some time. The colours are much better in the flesh than on Sothebys.com or in the printed catalogue, and quite extraordinary. The paper of each would benefit from a clean by an expert as there is some ingrained dirt and because of being stored for 200 years.
There are images available on request which show condition and any conservation.
There are throughout historic marks, smudges and stains, generally these do not detract unless specified. There are small occasional tears to the sides. Some sheets with horizontal creasing. Each sheet has undergone initial conservation prior to the sale, this is in the form of stabilising conservation tape to tears and white conservation paper to support losses. This conservation is not reflected in the catalogue photography. Each sheet is numbered in ink (this appears contemporary with the age of the panels) to the top left corner of the reverse except sheet 11 where there is a loss at this site. There are Chinese characters to the top left reverse of several panels (apparently translating in part as Feng?). There are various modern pencil numbers to the reverse. One sheet is missing (possibly that between sheets 17 and 18) however this does not detract from the overall effect. It is curious too as the inked numbers appear contemporary and these sets are often in runs of 24.
PANEL:
No.1
Slight crease left to right. Minor tears to edges. Small stains. Ink blot to top. Sensitive repairs to tears.
No.2
Some minor pin-prick holes to the top area. Faint vertical lines through paint of grass.
No.3
Repaired tears. Conservation tape to these sites. Vertical marks to painted grass area. Crease right to left through lower purple bird.
No.4
Generally good condition. Creasing to the sides at water. Losses of paint to pink breast of bird. Faint vertical marks through bottom. Tiny pin-prink to top left of paper.
No.5
Typical creases. Some vertical marks through grass. Smudging through one flower and duck head. Duck is beautifully painted.
No.6
Large Crease above peacock’s tail. Vertical marks to green paint of grass. Repaired tears.
No.7
Some patching. Crease from left to right. Wear to green paint.
No.8
Large crease across panel. There are some vertical marks to the bottom. Some consolidating conservation tape to historic tears.
No.9
Some discolouration although generally in good order though. Fold to right side. Some smudges.
No.10
Repaired tears to top left.
No.11 (this lacks an inked number but fits in this order)
Some typical small tears to sides and old creases. With some patches.
No.12
Repaired tears. Some spotting and ingrained dirt to upper section of the panel.
No.13
Creases top right of panel and some repairs. Some staining and spotting.
No.14
Very narrow vertical strip of discolouration to right edge. Notable creases. Some tears unrepaired.
No.15
Losses to some blue paint. Marks to top right. Chinese characters to the reverse of the top.
No.16
Creased left to right. Repaired at edges. Typical losses to paint. Historic watermark to the top.
No.17
Two creases from left to right. Patched to the top.
No.18
Corner section lacking to top (see catalogue illustration) however this area lacking was not decorated with paint. Tiny crushed bug attached!
No.19
Crease above bird of paradise. Typical repairs. Losses to paint of cockatoo and bird wings. Pencil mark above bird on top left.
No.20
Some restored patches. Creases across middle left to right and losses to paint at these sites. Repaired tears. Sides with typical creases.
No.21
Losses to paint. Vertical marks to green paint. Some black marks.
No.22
Crease to bottom left to right. Old marks and some minor paint smudges. Some staining.
No.23
Some losses to green paint. Losses to paint of the bird top middle. Four small marks.
No.24
Patches to top. Water stain (very old) to top. Cockerel is nicely drawn.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale...
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
