ZURICH.- The Asian Art auctions at Koller Zurich on 13 June will feature two important imperial artworks from China. Both works – a carved palace partition, and a bronze bell inscribed by an emperor – have been in a German private collection for over 100 years. The palace partition carries an estimate of CHF 800 000 – 1.4 million, and the bell is estimated to bring between CHF 200 000 and 300 000.

Both extraordinary artworks will be offered for public sale for the first time ever on 13 June at Koller Auctions in Zurich. The auction house states that the impressive carved palace partition was very likely made for one of the imperial halls of the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908). The bronze “bozhong” bell is from the 18th century, and is inscribed by the Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799).

A magnificent 19th century palace partition
This masterfully executed room divider, with deep, pierced carving on both sides, is a characteristic element of imperial palaces from the Qing period. The 2.87 x 3.96 meter partition with an octagonal opening displays motifs such as a wutong (parasol) tree and a phoenix – an emblem of the Empress in Chinese culture – and pairs of deer and cranes, both symbols of long life. Only two comparable partitions with octagonal doorways are known in Beijing. One is found in the Chuxiugong palace hall in the western area of the Forbidden City. The second example was formerly in the entrance hall of the Yiluandian palace, but this building was completely destroyed by fire in 1901. The present partition was prominently displayed for almost thirty years, from 1926 until late 1954, in the Museum of Ethnology in Hamburg.

An important imperial bronze “bozhong” bell
In the 26th year of the Qianlong period (1761), eleven antique bells were found by shepherds. They were brought to the imperial court, where the Emperor identified them as Zhou period “bo” bells. Only one bell was missing from the original twelve-tone set, so the Emperor had a twelfth bell cast in bronze, 85 centimetres high, to which he added an inscription. This act was significant, as it demonstrated that the Manchu court carried on the rituals of ancient Chinese imperial rule, proclaiming happiness and well-being and at the same time consolidating its rule.