A RARE PART-SET OF SIX FAMILLE ROSE 'IMMORTALS' PLAQUESJiaqingThe rectangular panels all superbly enamelled with gro of Immortals and sages clad in colourful robes and holding various attributes, engaged in various leisurely pursuits in a mountainous river landscape defined by a profusion of crashing waves, dotted with pine, bamboo, prunus and paulownia trees, all beneath a blue sky interspersed with wispy clouds.The largest plaque 62cm (24 2/8in) high x 24cm (9 1/2in) wide. (6) 清嘉慶 粉彩道教人物圖屏 六件 Provenance : George Kidston CMG, Head of the Eastern Department of the British Foreign Office, 1919-20, and thence by descent to the the estate of the late Hon. Mrs Patricia A. Kidston (1927-2021) 來源 ：George Kidston勳爵舊藏，曾於1919年至1920年任英國外交部東方事務部主管；並由後人Patricia A. Kidston夫人（1927-2021）保存 Superbly enamelled in vibrant colours and notable for the meticulous attention devoted to portraying the smallest details, such as the joyful expressions of the figures, the various floral and geometric patterns decorating their robes and the elaborate details of the headdresses, the present plaques would have been inset in a precious frame making up a screen gracing one of the Imperial halls. The decorative subjects presented the beholder with auspicious wishes associated with the Daoist Immortals. It is likely the screen containing these plaques would have beenmissioned for a special Imperial celebration such as an Imperial birthday. The format, dimension and decoration of the present plaques closelypare with those making up a very rare Imperial famille rose and huanghuali twelve-leaf screen, Jiaqing, which was sold at London, 15 May 2014, lot 88. The Qianlong emperor, though abdicating his throne in 1796 out of filial respect to his grandfather the Kangxi emperor, continued ruling in effect until his death in 1799. Therefore, the Imperial taste and demand as well as the zenith of craftsman achieved during the Qianlong period, continued into the Jiaqing period. Screens weremonly used in ancient China to keep out draughts, shut out light and partition rooms. Apart from practical functions however, screens also had an essential social and decorative function. In the Imperial halls, they were often used as backdrops to thrones, reinforcing the Imperial eminence and stature behind the throne. The importance of such screens is further demonstrated in that no cost was spared in their production, using precious materials generously, such as zitan and huanghuali woods, cinnabar lacquer, gilt on black lacquer and embellishments with porcelain panels, hardstones, and cloisonné and painted enamels. The present plaques are exquisitely decorated with mythical imagery of Daoist Immortals, auspicious flowers underscoring auspicious puns, rebuses and symbolism. Accordingly, the first panel on the far left depicts Liu Hai tempting his three-legged toad with strings of gold coins: together, they are symbolic