£4,800
A Chinese export ivory model of a pleasure boat, Guangdong (Canton), Qing dynasty, late 18th c, the hull straked, the upper deck structures with finely carved and pierced sides, several pairs of opening grilles to the windows, divisions and canopies, the principal of the several cabins divided by a screen flanking two entrances up steps to a presence chamber with a seated mandarin and his consort, both it and the adjoining larger 'Saloon' with others of his retinue, the furnishings including an altar table, stands set with cups, a table screen, chandelier and ornamental plants in tubs, a similar smaller pavilion on the roof above, the exterior with the figures of six quanters and other servants, the figures and smaller items also of ivory and painted in polychrome, pairs of pierced lanterns fore and aft and poles with flags of the same faded red silk that in part hangs at the two open entrances, with pierced rudder, 34cm h, 74cm l overall, mounted on an early wooden base beneath glazed brass case, 40cm h; 34 x 80cm
Provenance: Acquired c1770-c1800 by a member of the Thornton family of Clapham and by descent to Charles Conway Thornton (1851-1902); his widow Mary Diana Conway Thornton, nee Thornton-Wodehouse (1854-1948)
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