- 28
AN INSCRIBED ZITAN 'PRUNUS' BRUSHPOT SIGNED GUO LIN AND ZHANG XIONG QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY, INSCRIBED BY ZHANG XIONG IN 1855
Estimate
150,000 - 200,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
- zitan
of cylindrical form, the exterior incised with a design of blossoming prunus branches, accompanied by two inscriptions, one poem in running script, signed Fuweng, Guo Lin, above the seal reading Lin, the other an xiang shu ying (‘Hidden fragrance, sparse shadows’), dated and signed yimao dong shiyue Zixiang Zhang Xiong (‘winter, tenth month of the yimao year, Zixiang Zhang Xiong’, corresponding to 1855), followed by the circular seal Zixiang, the wood of a reddish-brown tone
Condition
In good condition with typical age cracks to the surface. The wood is a richer darker brown colour than in the catalogue photo where it is too red.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The inscription is an excerpt from a poem by Li Fang (925-996) and may be translated as follows:
Loosely woven bamboo blinds gently swaying, sun shining bright,
The Compilation Bureau secluded and solemn, its door half closed,
Entire courtyard full of blossoms, the spring day endless,
No trouble brewing anywhere, so imperial edicts are few.
Guo Lin (1767-1831), zi Xiangbo and hao Fuwen, was a native of Wujiang, Jiangsu province. When young he studied with Yao Nai and his talent was recognised by Ruan Yuan (1764-1849), a scholar-official in the late Qing period. Guo was an avid collector, an accomplished writer and a skilled calligrapher, whose style was close to that of the famous Song dynasty master calligrapher Huang Tingjian.
Loosely woven bamboo blinds gently swaying, sun shining bright,
The Compilation Bureau secluded and solemn, its door half closed,
Entire courtyard full of blossoms, the spring day endless,
No trouble brewing anywhere, so imperial edicts are few.
Guo Lin (1767-1831), zi Xiangbo and hao Fuwen, was a native of Wujiang, Jiangsu province. When young he studied with Yao Nai and his talent was recognised by Ruan Yuan (1764-1849), a scholar-official in the late Qing period. Guo was an avid collector, an accomplished writer and a skilled calligrapher, whose style was close to that of the famous Song dynasty master calligrapher Huang Tingjian.
The present brushpot bears the signature of Zhang Xiong (1803-86) who was a scholar from Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, but lived in Shanghai. He was famous for his talent in painting and calligraphy.