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In brief:
- 19 Imperial bird paintings by Jiang Tingxi, commissioned by Emperor Kangxi (r.1661–1722), found in Dorset and South London homes, estimated to fetch up to £900,000 (combined hammer total) in Roseberys' Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian auction (May 13–14).
- The paintings were acquired by Major Iain Menzies (1895-1979), a soldier who served in the First World War with the Brigade Machine-Gun Company, and hung in his stately homes (pictured).
- The works will be displayed to the public for the first time at the Hong Kong International Antiques Fair (3-7 May).
- Works include original texts, a rarity that significantly enhances historical value
- Discovery of 19 paintings at once called “unprecedented” by expert.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two remarkable sets of Imperial Chinese bird paintings, commissioned by Emperor Kangxi (1661-1722), have been discovered in UK homes in Dorset and South London. The artworks, originally part of an encyclopaedic series by court artist and minister Jiang Tingxi, are now set to be publicly exhibited and auctioned at Roseberys, with a combined estimated value of up to £900,000.
The paintings were discovered by Bill Forrest, Head of Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art at Roseberys Auctioneers, during a routine valuation in South London. This initial discovery of seven works led to the revelation of a further twelve paintings in Dorset, both belonging to descendants of Major Iain Menzies (1895-1979), who likely acquired them after the First World War. Remarkably, upon removing the paintings from their frames, it was discovered that all retain their original accompanying text, a rarity that significantly enhances their historical value.
Jiang Tingxi (1669-1732), An Imperial Manual of Birds, a set of seven album leaves, ink and colour on silk Estimate: £200,000-£400,000
Jiang Tingxi (1669-1732), An Imperial Manual of Birds, a set of twelve album leaves, ink and colour on silk Estimate: £300,000-£500,000
The paintings will be publicly exhibited for the first time at the Hong Kong International Antiques Fair in May before being offered in Roseberys’ Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art auctions on May 13 and 14. They will be presented in two lots of seven and twelve paintings, with estimates of £200,000-£400,000 and £300,000-£500,000, respectively.
Blyth's Tragopan with text overleaf and artist's signature, from set of seven album leaves, ink and colour on silk
Major Iain Menzies during the First World War
They were acquired by Major Iain Menzies after the First World War and hung in his home, Tadley Court during the 1950s, before moving to Cannon Hall in 1964. Menzies joined the Coldstream Guards in 1914 and was recruited from the Special Reserve to serve in France during World War I with the Brigade Machine-Gun Company. He resigned with the rank of Lieutenant in 1919. He was the brother of Major Stewart Menzies, former Head of Special Operations Executive, a British espionage outfit formed in 1940 to combat German forces.
Major Iain Menzies
Emperor Kangxi commissioned court artist Jiang Tingxi to produce an encyclopaedic album depicting 360 birds alongside a textual description of each, likely completed in 1721. They were produced in 12 volumes of 30 paintings and were bound together as albums, with corresponding text on the opposing page. Some of the birds depicted are not referenced in classical Chinese or early modern European ornithological texts. They are vital records of China’s natural history and Qing-era expansionist ambitions - Kangxi had conquered Taiwan in 1687, Mongolia in 1697, and was working to draw Tibet more closely under Qing control. The geographical distribution of the birds depicted reflects this.
Silver Pheasant, from set of twelve album leaves, ink and colour on silk
This discovery is truly extraordinary. Only a handful of these paintings have surfaced in recent decades, usually as single works or in small groups. Finding nineteen at once, especially with their original texts intact, is unprecedented. It is an enormous privilege to exhibit them in Hong Kong ahead of Roseberys’ auction in May.
Bill Forrest, Director and Head of Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art at Roseberys.
The anonymous sellers, who had displayed the paintings as family heirlooms for decades, were astonished by their significance. “I remember seeing them hanging in Tadley Court and later Cannon Hall. I thought they were visually striking but had no idea of their historical importance or value,” one commented.
Three of the paintings hanging in Cannon Hall, former home of Iain Menzies
Birds have long been a central motif in Chinese art, dating back to the tenth-century rise of the “bird and flower” painting tradition. Jiang Tingxi was particularly celebrated for his bird and flower paintings. Through his interactions with Western missionaries at court, he acquired European painting techniques. As a result, his works uniquely combined the "boneless" (mogu) style, characteristic of the Changzhou School, with Western techniques, emphasising painting with colour and ink without visible contour lines, perspectival accuracy and chiaroscuro. This fusion gave rise to the so-called "Jiang School" of bird and flower painting.
An Imperial Manual of Birds with text, a set of twelve album leaves, ink and colour on silk
Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art at Roseberys: Tuesday 13 May & Wednesday 14 May
ENDS
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For media enquiries please contact: aliciaglenn@roseberys.co.uk
About Roseberys:
Operating in London for more than 30 years, Roseberys Fine Art Auctioneers is a privately owned specialist fine art and antiques auction house and valuers, located in the heart of South London.
The team of world renowned experts and consultants offer both buyers and sellers a range of specialist art market services and a calendar of over 30 specialist auctions a year covering all areas of Asian Arts, Islamic & Indian Art, Jewellery & Watches, Old Master, 18th & 19th Century Art, Modern British & Contemporary British Art, Urban & Contemporary Prints & Multiples, 20th Century Art & Design, Impressionist, Modern, Post War & Contemporary Art and Decorative Arts, Fine & Decorative sales including Silver, Ceramics, Works of Art and Furniture.
The team of world renowned experts and consultants offer both buyers and sellers a range of specialist art market services and a calendar of over 30 specialist auctions a year covering all areas of Asian Arts, Islamic & Indian Art, Jewellery & Watches, Old Master, 18th & 19th Century Art, Modern British & Contemporary British Art, Urban & Contemporary Prints & Multiples, 20th Century Art & Design, Impressionist, Modern, Post War & Contemporary Art and Decorative Arts, Fine & Decorative sales including Silver, Ceramics, Works of Art and Furniture.
In addition to hosting over 30 specialist auctions annually, Roseberys offers single-owner collection sales. Recent highlights include the Mary & Alan Hobart Collection (founders of Pyms Gallery), an Important Private Collection of Chinese Imperial Porcelain and The George Farrow Collection.