34 | A PAIR OF IMPERIAL CANTON REPOUSSE PANELS Qianlong period 1736-1795 AD China Both panels show a family in a domestic interior. They are revealed to us beyond a thick curtain that runs along the top, and is then gathered on the far right hand side of each scene by a double tasselled cord. In the foreground of one panel, a bearded elderly man sits dressed in traditional robes, a blue fur lined jacket, and boots. Next to the man stands an elegant woman, dressed in a mauve fur lined full length coat, and playing a flute. A boy crouches playing with a dog; they are watched by a young man wearing a fur jacket and boots, who stands smoking a pipe. Two further rooms are seen receding into the background of the painting - either side of an open court. The nearest room is simply furnished and there is a view onto the courtyard through a small, half open lattice window and a large moon door. A panel of calligraphy in the room translates to read: 'With rank and degree there come gold and jade.' (1) The furthest room is equally simply furnished; a door is half open - flanked by two panels of calligraphy. One side translates as: 'Listening to (the songs of) the birds and watching the fish make one understand the meaning of eternity.' And the other reads: 'Making fun with the wind and playing with the moon provide a means for one to lodge his leisurely sentiments.' (2) The second panel shows a family - with mother, father and three children in a room. The father stands wearing a long blue robe and smoking a pipe; behind, his son holds a gourd and plays with a bird. His wife, daughter and other son are gathered around a table on which stands a vase with a flowering camellia, and a group of scholar's objects. On the back wall hangs a plaque depicting birds in a flowering tree; this is flanked by two panels of calligraphy. One translates as: 'Birds singing in the secluded valley impart a sense of tranquillity.' And the other: 'Flowers blooming in the small hall celebrate the joys of spring.' In the foreground, a cat sits upon a stool. An open wall with a geometric wooden balustrade leads into a series of further rooms; these are set around an open courtyard planted with bamboo and banana plants. Dimensions: 20 ¼" x 15 ¾" / 51.5 cm x 40 cm Similar example: 'The International Exhibition of Chinese Art', Royal Academy of Arts London 1935-36, fig. 2180. This Canton enamel panel in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam - based after scenes from Lancret - also has raised figures, and is of similar size. (1) In ancient China, the only way to climb up the social ladder was to study hard so as to pass the public examinations and enter officialdom. To encourage people to dig into their books, appeared such a saying, "In the books there are houses of gold; in the books there are faces beautiful as jade"' Thus 'gold and jade' in this couplet actually refers to 'wealth and beautiful women'. (2)'Wind and moon' (fengyue) is a commonly used figurative expression for 'elegant and poetic pursuits'. All panels translated by Brenda Li.