The final gift of beauty.
James looked on in awe, as Bohai finished carving and polishing the last of Queen Charlotte’s gaming counters.
The completed set of exquisite pieces, now comprised 20 round counters, 40 square counters and 80 oblong counters. {the ordered commission}
Many thousands of hours had now come to fulfilling his artists legacy that would reach far into the 21st century.
Bohai handed James the final piece.
Was this the piece that James had bought for Melanie from the Ching Dynasty Collection in 2019 that had changed their lives? thought James.
As perfect then as the piece he now held.
Reaching under his studio bench, Bohai took the box he had commissioned to hold the Queen’s pieces.
Inlayed with mother of pearl and exquisitely crafted and lacquered the box was lined with the finest silks cradling each piece lovingly in its own compartment.
Image – by kind courtesy of China Rose Antiques of Geelong, Victoria Australia. Available for sale HERE
Smiling Bohai placed the piece in its place inside the box.
Queen Charlotte’s emissary would soon return with payment and to collect the Queen’s pieces.
In reflection Bohai turned to James.
“我不知道我的創作會遇到什麼時間旅程？”
{“I wonder what journeys in time my creations will encounter?”}
Smiling, James offered;
“我會告訴你我的朋友。”
{“I will tell you my friend.”}
“一旦送達女王的使節。 他們將前往英格蘭，並贈送給喬治三世國王，國王將把您的精美禮物贈送給殿下； 夏洛特皇后。”
{“Once delivered to the Queen’s emissary. they will travel to England and be given to King George III who will present your exquisite gift to Her Royal Highness; Queen Charlotte.”}
“梅蘭妮有一天晚上在皇后山莊拜訪了她。
她還帶了法國女王瑪麗·安托瓦內特（Marie Antoinette）的朋友與她會面。”
{“Melanie visited her one evening at the Queens Lodge.
She also took her friend Marie Antoinette the Queen of France to meet with her.”}
“夏洛特女王將在她的宮殿度過許多晚上，在燭光下與朝臣們打牌； 您的藝術技藝給了她許多歡樂時光，渤海！”
{“Queen Charlotte will spend many of her evenings at the Palace playing cards by candle light with her courtiers; your artistry giving her many happy hours Bohai!”}
“ 1818年11月，女王將以74歲的祖先身份加入祖先。”
{“In November 1818 the Queen at age 74 will join her ancestors.”}
“出於未知的原因，她的兒子威爾士親王后來將其扔給喬治四世，將她的許多財產（包括您的佣金）發送給拍賣行。
我和Melanie參加了1819年5月7日的拍賣！”
{“For reasons unknown, her son the Prince of Wales who would later take the thrown as George IV, would send many of her possessions, including your commission, to Auction.
Melanie and I attended the Auction on May 7th 1819!”}
“您如此精心雕刻的作品將保留在Wemsys勳爵的住所中數年，後者是在拍賣會上購買的。”
{“The pieces you have so lovingly carved will remain for some years in the home of Lord Wemsys who bought them at the auction.”}
“在過去的幾年中，它們將受到世界各地藝術品收藏家的高度評價。
現任英格蘭女王伊麗莎白二世女王將為您的皇家收藏信託購買一些作品。
現在是我的時代{2020}。 在倫敦聖詹姆斯宮展出。”
{“They will be valued highly by collectors of fine art around the world over the preceding years.
The current Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II will purchase some of your pieces for her Royal Collection Trust.
They are now, in my time {2020}. on display at St James’s Palace London.”}
“正如您所知，渤海地區，我於2019年從清朝收藏中為Melanie購買了其中一款，這改變了我們的生活，並帶我們來到了這裡。”
{“As you know Bohai, I purchased one for Melanie in 2019 from the Ching Dynasty Collection, which has changed our lives and brought us on our journey to you here.”}
“您的幾件作品仍可以從清朝收藏中獲得。
他們有4個圓形，1個正方形和5個長方形出售！”
{“There are several of your pieces still available from the Ching Dynasty Collection.
They have 4 rounds, 1 square and 5 of the oblong shape for sale!”}
Tears of joy filled Bohai’s eyes as he reflected on his artists legacy 250 years into the future.
Chunhau played for them.
Transported into history
1 - It was a night to remember forever!
2 - Moving within elite circles.
3 - Melanie was transported to ‘Un jour à Versailles’
4 - James will never believe this!
5 - James called back, but Melanie was away in France!
6 - “Happy anniversary my love - See you tonight”
7 - They woke in each other’s arms
8 - “Would you marry me 230 years ago James?”
9 - The French Court setting designs.
10 - Immersed in history
11 - Planning a trip for one day in May
12 - Auction Day to come somewhere in time May 7th 1819
13 - A breakfast fit for a King
14 - Hello Lord Wemsys - May 7th 1819
15 - Now we can return to see Marie.
16 - James and Melanie will marry in Versailles tomorrow.
17 - The wedding June 7th 1789.
18 - The letter was stained by Melanie’s tears.
19 - To visit Versailles once more
20- The flight to Geneva with Merie by her side
21 - The saving of Marie’s Jewels
22 - I fear to be the Last Queen of France. Write our story!
23 - Holding you forever my sister. Time still exists!
24 - A lock of hair
25 - Slavery – the absence of Choice to Choose.
26 - James will you still love me in another 200 years?
27 - Our bond will never break, even in a thousand years.
28 - A hole in the heart of history. A story of slavery.
29 - Our love will go on wherever you are.
30 - ‘The Slavery of Marie Antoinette’
32 - The Power of the pendant. "Nous avons aimé dans le temps."
33 - “Viva La Vida Melanie.” {“Live life Melanie.”}
34 - Time alone gives Marie love.
35 - Marie-Thérèse did live.
36 - Time heals.
37 - Escape from Tuileries Palace.
38 - The endless dawns of time.
40 - Where is it? Where is it!!?
41 - Tears from the Temple Tower
42 - Where are you now?
43 - Marie-Thérèse’s letter to her mother.
45 - The Postman never arrived.
46 - Sometimes not knowing is the answer.
49 - Change the world one wish at a time
50 - Be the Change you wish to see.
51 - Let me share my vision with you Marie.
53 - Snow on the ground
54 - Come with me Marie
56 - Over the sea to Skye
57 - Another night to remember
59 - Escape from Perth to Edinburgh; the Queen is safe.
60 - A horse a horse; my kingdom for a horse!
61 - Setting out to Edinburgh Castle
62 - Dreaming
66 - The Battle of Killiecrankie
68 - Ask the mountains
69 - Echoes of the past
70 - Where are you Marie?
4 4 71 - James heard the call.
73 - Life’s a continuum.
74 - The soothing light of White
75 - The Autumn winds of my heart.
76 - Lost in thoughts and lost in time.
77 - I wish you were here Marie!
78 - Brothers in Arms
79 - Lay me down
80 - Share Christmas with me Melanie.
81 - The Leaving
82 - Louis - last visit.
83 - My days are done.
84 - An artist’s grief
85 - An Artist’s heart
86 - All things pass
87 - The Queen’s commission 1755
88 - Morning mist
89 - Single perfect bloom
90 - Forever; life.
91 - Back to China
92 - Journeys
93 - An Artist’s legacy
94 - The journey from Canton to New York
96 - Play for James
97 - The days passed by
98 - Before birth.
99 - Serenity to chaos
100 - Moist morning dew – tears in the ocean.
101 - Wisdom of the waves.
102 - The passing of wisdom
103 - Lessons lost in time
104 - Unknown life
105 - Tears of understanding
106 - Enlightenment
107 - Eternal Love
Ching Dynasty Collection
We are the custodians of some of the most exquisite examples of hand carved artistry from 200 years ago,. These were commissioned by King George III of Great Britain & Ireland for Queen Charlotte in 1780.
