Thursday 5 December 2024
A fine and rare Berlin Chinoiserie tapestry of ‘The Emperor’s Banquet’ from the...
View MoreLot 175
Description
A fine and rare Berlin Chinoiserie tapestry of ‘The Emperor’s Banquet’ from the Grossmogulenfolge series, attributed to the workshop of Jean II Barraband and Charles Vigne, second quarter 18th century, after designs by Guy-Louis Vernansal, Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay and Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, depicting a Chinese Emperor and other richly attired courtly figures around an elaborate dining table surrounded by servants and attendants, within an ornate pavilion setting adorned with garlands, dragon finials and lambrequins, the elaborate borders with scrolling foliage, Chinese blue and white porcelain services, birds, wing spandrels and vertical vignettes with figures in Chinese dress, approx. 322 x 397cm
Provenance: Purchased from C. John, London, 1969.
The George Farrow Collection.
Published: Apollo, October 1986, p. 21.
Lot Footnotes
Note: This elaborate banqueting scene is part of a cycle depicting the daily life of a Chinese Emperor, possibly KangXi (1661-1721), and reflects the early 18th century European aristocracy’s fascination with Chinese architecture and design. Originally known as ‘L’Histoire du Roi de Chine’, the series was designed for the French Royal Tapestry Manufactory of Beauvais by Guy-Louis Vernansal (d. 1729), Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay (d. 1715) and Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer (d. 1699), but soon gained popularity in Germany too. The series was abandoned at Beauvais in 1732, with the cartoons being so worn that they were no longer useable. The first examples by a Berlin manufactory are recorded as early as 1713, when Prince Alexander von Donha ordered a full set from the French weaver Jean II Barraband, whose father Jean I Barraband had arrived in Germany from Aubusson in 1685 and who originally set up the family’s tapestry workshop in Berlin, next to Charlottenburg Palace. The present panel is thought to date from the years after Jean II Barraband’s death in 1725, when Charles Vigne took over his workshop. The Berlin Grossmogulenfolge are distinguished from the Beauvais originals by their borders featuring groups of blue and white porcelain.
Another tapestry from the Grossmogulenfolge with a similar border sold at Christie's, Robert de Balkany Rome & the Côte d'Azur, 23 March 2017, lot 30.
Fees & VAT
Buyer's Premium
The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.
VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT
Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.
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£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500
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Export of goods
Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.
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