A SOAPSTONE 'LANDSCAPE' PLAQUE, SIGNED JIN NAN QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY, DATED GENGWU YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1750

finely carved with a scholar gazing at the moon in a pavilion by the river, all surrounded by mountains, trees and clouds, incised to the right with an inscription reading cipin wei gengwu diyi deyi zhizuo Qingtian Jin Nan bingji liuyue (best work in the year of gengwu, carved and inscribed in June by Jin Nan from Qingtian), the left side with a poetic verse taken from a poem written by the Yuan dynasty poet Qian Weishan

The reverse has an approx. 0.6 cm wide chip to the upper edge. Otherwise, the plaque is in overall good condition with some old, smoothed minor chips and minute nicks to the edges and minor expected surface wear, consistent with age. The stone with occasional faint natural fissures. The stone has shades of red richer and brighter than in the printed 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

See a closely related soapstone plaque, in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, England, carved in a very similar style with a landscape scene depicting the Song dynasty scholar Su Shi boating under the Red Cliff, included in the exhibition Inaugural Exhibition. Chinese Metalwares and Decorative Arts, vol. 2, the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, 1993, cat. no. 333.