29 | AN IMPERIAL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL FAN SHAPED WALL PANEL Qianlong period 1736-1795AD China The large plaque - in a frame of huang hua li - is decorated with a gnarled pine tree growing on the edge of a rocky outcrop amongst orchids and grasses - silhouetted against a turquoise sky. The top left hand section of the panel carries a poetic couplet written by the Emperor, followed by two seals reading: 'Servant Yu Minzhong'. The gilt bronze handle takes the form of two stylised dragons; they face one another, biting the outstretched wings of a bat. Height, with handle: 37 ¼ / 94.5 cm Width : 54 ¾ / 139 cm The poem may be translated as follows: 'A pure fragrance surrounds me as I approach the terrace of flowers, A delightful shelter covers me as I touch the pine tree in the courtyard.' Poem is composed by his majesty, and respectively recorded by his servant Yu Minzhong. The two seals that follow read: 'servant' and 'Minzhong'. Yu Minzhong became the Emperor's chief grand Councillor in 1773 - and the most powerful minister in China. Editing the Emperor's poems was one of his many duties. Further details of his career can be found in 'Eminent Chinese of the Ching Period' 1970, pages 942-944.