A FINE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL HAT STAND, 18TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A FINE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL HAT STAND, 18TH CENTURY China. Finely constructed in several sections. The hollow, compressed globular top is fitted with a pierced and gilt-lacquered wood cover and conceived as a receptacle for fragrant substances. It is supported on a tall, elegantly knobbed standard rising from a domed circular foot. The exterior is meticulously worked in vivid polychrome enamels within fine gilt-copper cloisons, forming a dense and intricately arranged design of archaistic scrollwork, ruyi heads, bats, lotus blossoms, and scrolling foliage, all reserved against a rich turquoise-blue ground and punctuated by gilt-bronze collars and borders. Dimensions: Height 30 cm With a gilt-lacquered openwork hardwood cover carved with luxuriant lotus scrollwork, encircled by a band of ruyi. The cover is fitting very well, but is not original to the hat stand and possibly dates from a later period. (2) Hats formed an essential component of court attire and were worn during all formal court functions by noblemen and high-ranking officials in the performance of official duties, including the emperor himself. Their use was governed by a strict protocol, and their form and decoration varied according to the bureaucratic rank of the wearer, membership in specific military corps, the receipt of imperial favor, and the season. Resting a hat on a dedicated stand helped preserve the shape of the bamboo, rattan, silk, or fur framework from which these hats were commonly made. More significantly, however, stands such as the present lot incorporated a concealed compartment intended to contain aromatic substances that perfumed the hat while it rested. The hat thus imparted a subtle scent to its wearer. Sandalwood, camphor, floral blends, and potpourri conveyed cleanliness, elegance, and social distinction, while also helping to protect the organic materials of the hat against insects and humidity. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related cloisonné enamel hat stand, dated 18th century, 32.1 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number M.196-1917. Compare a closely related cloisonné enamel hat stand, dated to the Kangxi period, 28.9 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 29.110.32. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 24 March 2011, lot 1622 Price: USD 40,000 approx. EUR 52,000 (for two) converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, motifs, and size (30.5 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2275 Price: HKD 275,000 approx. EUR 48,500 (for two) converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, motifs, and size (31 cm).

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