In two sizes, blockprinted en grisaille with Chinese landscapes including pavilions, junks and figures drinking tea, later backed with canvas
Each 88¹⁄₂ in. (225 cm.) high, overall

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Lot Essay

These block-printed panels belong to a panoramic wallpaper pattern first produced in the 1810s and known today as Procession Chinois, though its maker and original title have yet to be identified. From extant examples of the paper, it is apparent that it was produced in both grisaille and sepia versions, depicting a fantastical Chinese landscape across a total of thirty unique panels. Published examples include an extensive group at Still House in Matinecock, Long Island. Another, whose whereabouts are unknown today, was recorded in the Sutton Place townhouse of Anne Morgan, which is now a residence for the sitting United Nations Secretary-General. The pattern was the subject of an exciting discovery in 1994 at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan in Var, France, when renovations to the museum's first floor revealed a large installation on a wall that that been hidden for years behind a set of bookcases.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

Generally well-preserved, ready to hang. Each composed of numerous small panels. As stated in the cataloguing, later backed with canvas. Some scattered small losses to the decoration, some surface scratches and small tears throughout, now stabilized.

Issues to each include, but are not limited to:

The large panel with figures dinking tea in a pavilion: some discolored water marks at upper and lower edges, most visible at top. Some more pronounced scratching to the right of the pavilion. Some more losses near the lower edge. At the lower right, there is a small torn area with some lifting.

The large panel with a junk: some discolored water marks at upper and lower edges, most visible at upper right corner. Some more visible losses to the paint, mostly around lower edge. The upper sections with a few areas where the wallpaper is dented and torn, but without loss; a small hole (approx. 1 cm. square) to the reeds by the willow tree at right.

The narrower panel, with a figure on horseback: this panel is a composite, with some elements assembled from various panels; presenting well overall, generally only noticeable upon close inspection. A more prominent crack, separating in areas, to the tree which is to the left of the pavilion. A horizontal tear near the lower edge; and a V-shaped tear near the lower right corner; recommend securing.

The narrower panel, with figures loading crates: this panel is similarly a composite of some elements assembled from various panels; presenting well overall, likewise generally only noticeable upon close inspection. There is a Y-shaped split to the large crate in the foreground, recommend securing; another larger loss to the ground at the lower edge.

The two larger panels: 88¹⁄₂ in. (225 cm.) high, 59³⁄₄ in. (152 cm.) wide, overall
The two narrower panels: 88¹⁄₂ in. (225 cm.) high, 33³⁄₄ in. (86 cm.) wide, overall

Print Report