A BAIFURONG SOAPSTONE SEAL, BY ZHOU BIN 17TH CENTURY

of tall rectangular form and square cross-section, the straight sides left plain save for a continuous band of archaistic kui dragons on a keyfret ground, one side further incised with a small cartouche containing the signature Shangjun near the top of the seal, the top carved with two archaistic addorsed kui dragons in low relief similarly reserved on a keyfret ground, the stone of a creamy white colour, the seal face left uncut

Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 43 (one of a pair).

The overall condition is extremely good with only 1 minute nick to one of the edges. The actual colour quite close to the catalogue illustration. The actual size is about 60% smaller than the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Zhou Bin, zi Shangjun, a native of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, was one of the most renowned carvers of soapstone and was active during the 17^th century. He belonged to a small group of carvers who excelled both technically and artistically and were considered master carvers in this medium. The present seal carved in low relief is described by Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 84, as a work that 'allows the highly valued stone, with its subtle texturing and colour, to speak for itself while overlaying a level of sculptural expression of great elegance.' For further examples of Zhou Bin's works see a soapstone brushpot of mottled, opaque honey brown colouration included ibid., pl. 84; and a figure of a lohan made of a Shoushan soapstone variety known as niujiao dong (ox-horn ice) for its mottled grey colour, ibid., pl. 44.

The stone used for the making of the present seal is of translucent beige-white colouration known as baifurong. Although also mined from the Shoushan area, it is distinctly different from other soapstones with its white speckling within the translucent surface. For a discussion of furong stone, which came to be valued among the three most sought-after stones by the late Qing dynasty, see the entry ibid., pl. 43. A set of fourteen baifurong stone seals was sold in these rooms, 17^th May 1989, lot 410; and a large baifurong seal carved with a mythical beast was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1/3^rd May 1994, lot 501.