AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND IMPORTANT GOLD GEM-INSET FIGURE OF AN 'ABLE MINISTER'Qianlong Superbly modelled, seated with the right hand raised as if to hold an implement, the left resting on his lap, dressed in multiple loose robes opened at the chest and tied with a double knot, finely incised with floral designs at the hem and decorated with intricate filigree designs of ruyi and clouds inset with tourmaline, pearls and turquoise, wearing a billowing scarf around the shoulders, the well-defined face with a serene expression defined by a gentle smile framed by neatly adorned hair gathered up in a high chignon, fitted box. 13cm (5in) high, overall 560g, tested for high gold purity. (2). 清乾隆 金嵌寶七珍「主藏臣寳」像 Provenance : Sir Michael Oppenheimer (3rd Baronet, 1924-2020) and Lady Helen Oppenheimer DD (1926-2022), and thence by descent 來源 ：Michael Oppenheimer 爵士（三代從男爵，1924-2020年）與Helen Oppenheimer爵士夫人（1926-2022年）舊藏，並由後人保存迄今 The collection belonged to Sir Michael and Lady Oppenheimer DD (3rd Baronet, 1924-2020). Sir Michael's maternal grandparents were Sir Robert Grenville Harvey, 2nd Baronet (1856-1931) and Lady Emily Blanche Harvey (1872-1935) of Langley Park, Buckinghamshire. The Chinese art collection can be, at least in part, traced back to Langley Park, Buckinghamshire, home to the Harvey Baronets from 1788 until 1945, as demonstrated in a pre-1945 photograph showing Lot 122, the cloisonné enamel tripod 'elephant' incense burner, Qianlong. Sir Michael Oppenheimer's paternal family was the well-known South African mining family. The baronetcy was created in 1921 for Bernard Oppenheimer, Chairman of the South African Diamond Corporation for setting up diamond sorting factories to employ wounded ex-servicemen after the First World War. The family has been involved with De Beers over many decades. Lady Oppenheimer DD (1926-2022) was a distinguished moral and philosophical theologian, with a particular interest in the ethics pertaining to personal relations. The present figure, made of gold of exceptionally high purity, is exceedingly rare and notable for the impeccable casting, the high-quality gilding, the meticulous filigree work and the setting of semi-precious stones adorning the garments, and generous use of the precious metal. Works displaying such a high-level of workman were undoubtedly produced by the Imperial workshops at the time and destined for use at the Imperial Court. This gold figure was part of a set of 'The Seven Royal Treasures', which would have been placed on an altar. See a related jade and semi-precious stone-inlaid set of the 'Seven Royal Treasures' on sandalwood stands, and a similar figure of an 'Able Minister', 18th century, in the Qing Court Collection, the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated by E.Rawski and J.Rawson, China: The Three Emperors 1662-1795 , London, 2005, p.140, no.45. The set includes a Golden Wheel, Swift Horse, White Elephant, Loyal General, Able Minister of