- 3660
A CARVED 'MUSHROOM' DUAN INKSTONE BY GU ERNIANG, QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |
Estimate
600,000 - 800,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
- 10.6 cm, 4 1/8 in.
skilfully carved in the form of two mushrooms with a gently concave inkwell formed from the reverse of one, the reverse detailed with gills partially concealed by the cap of the other mushroom, the base further carved with a rectangular cartouche enclosing a six-character inscription reading Wumen Gu Erniang zao (made by Gu Erniang of Wuman), zitan stand and cover, the cover with an inscription dated to the tenth month of the renxu year (corresponding with 1922) and signed Liu Qiao, followed by a seal mark reading sanduo zhi yin
Provenance
An old Japanese collection, by repute.
Condition
The inkstone with some natural diagonal veining. The wood cover and stand with occasional chips repaired and minor age cracks.
"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
Gu Erniang is widely considered to be one of the finest known Qing period inkstone carvers. A native of the Zhuanzhu xiang area of Wumen, modern-day Suzhou in Jiangsu province, Gu married into a family of inkstone carvers, although she was certainly its most famous member. For a biographical analysis of Gu Erniang, see Gao Yan-yi, 'An Introduction to Early Qing Dynasty Female Inkstone Maker Gu Erniang', The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art, no. 399, June 2016, pp. 98-107. See an inkstone similarly modelled in the form of a mushroom, carved with the characters Erniang in the centre, sold in our New York rooms, 14th September 2019, lot 1710.