A 'DREAMSTONE' MARBLE PANEL TABLE SCREEN ATTRIBUTED TO RUAN YUAN (1764-1849) QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

the white marble with brown and beige streaks, forming a natural design of layered mountain peaks rising through fleeting clouds, inscribed on the lower right on one side in clerical script reading Rongfeng wu yao (‘Rong Peak in the noontime brightness’), followed by the signature in running script Yanjing laoren Ruan Yuan (‘The old man of the Research-the-Classics Chamber, Ruan Yuan’) and the seal Ruan Yuan filled in with cinnabar, all set within a reticulated hongmu wood screen with a loosely interlocking plaited design

Apart from some natural pitting on the surface and ligth scratches on both sides, the overall condition is quite good. The enamels within the incised inscription are somewhat rubbed. The hongmu frame is generally in good condition with a few minute chips to the stand, age cracks or minor repairs to some of the interlocking plaits. The actual colour is slightly darker 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."

This huashi or stone painting bears the seal of the eminent scholar-official Ruan Yuan (1764-1849) who was passionate about natural stone paintings of the Dali marble mines and became closely associated with them. While serving as governor in Yunnan province, Ruan took a particular interest in the cutting of the local marble to produce huashi. He even wrote a book on the subject titled Shihua ji [Records of stone paintings] and is said to have acquired a mine from which some of this famous marble was extracted.

A number of related pieces bear his name, suggesting that they may have been made under his patronage. However, little is known of the process of Ruan’s own output and whether he inscribed any panels himself or had other skilled calligraphers engrave his inscriptions. For Ruan’s biography see Arthur W. Hummel, Eminent Chinese of the Ch’ing Period, Taipei, 1991, p. 399.

The title Rongfeng wu yao ('Rong Peak in the noontime brightness') refers to the highest peak of Hengshan in Hunan province called Zhurong Peak, named after Zhurong, an ancient fire god or god of the south who is supposedly buried on the southern slope of Hengshan. Ruan Yuan climbed Zhurong Peak twice, the first time in 1817. While serving as governor-general in Guizhou between 1826-35, he promoted the aesthetic value of ‘Yun Stones’. It was of screens such as the present example, that he likely had in mind when he wrote in the preface to the Shihua ji, ‘There are goodness knows how many that have not been given a colophon; this is like a talented person never finding anyone who appreciates his character — it is very pitiable indeed! Although a singular stone shows the skill of the Creator and Transformer, if there is no colophon, it is as if it never emerged from the Original Chaos.’

A huashi, formerly in Ruan’s collection and bearing his personal seal, was sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1741; and another, also from Ruan’s collection and reputedly once part of the decoration in a pavilion built for him called ‘Pavilion of Selected Stones’, was sold at Christie’s New York, 21st September 2004, lot 54.