清十八世紀 宜興紫砂螭龍紋水丞 《陳子畦》款

of compressed globular form, finely potted with rounded sides gently tapering from a short foot to an inverted rim, set with a writhing qilong in openwork, the archaistic beast with bifid tail and powerful body clambering to reach the mouth rim, the recessed base inscribed with a Chen Ziqi seal mark, the purple-coloured clay with darker speckling

香港蘇富比1978年5月24日，編號349

《文玩萃珍》，香港大學馮平山博物館，香港，1986年，編號167

《宜興陶藝》，香港藝術館，香港，1981年，編號19

The overall condition is good.
"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."

The present elegant waterpot represents the height of the Yixing potter's art in both technique and decoration. It bears the seal of Yixing potter Chen Ziqi who is mentioned in the Yangxian mingtao lu (Record of Famous Pottery of Yangxian), published in the 51st year of Qianlong's reign, corresponding to 1786. Yangxian is another name for Yixing, located in Jiangsu province. Chen was said to be the best imitator of Xu Youquan, a Ming dynasty potter active during the reign of the Wanli emperor.  He may have also been the father of the noted Kangxi period potter Chen Mingyuan, although this has not been substantiated. Chen's work is characterized as 'mostly done in purple clay with a thin body and exquisite workmanship.' (See Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 190)

Compare a waterdropper with a Chen Ziqi mark on the base, included in the exhibition Yixing Pottery, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 18, together with a pumpkin form teapot, cat. no. 17, and a figure of a crab on a lotus leaf, cat. no. 16. See also a brushpot decorated with a gardenia branch in high relief, signed by Chen, illustrated in Yixing. Purple Clay Wares, Hong Kong, 1994, from the K.S. Lo collection.

Chen's works are often compared to those associated with Chen Mingyuan. For example, see a waterpot with Chen's seal on its base, sold in these rooms, 24th May 1978, lot 347. For a discussion of Chen Mingyuan see K.S. Lo, The Stonewares of Yixing from the Ming Period to the Present Day, Hong Kong, 1986, pp. 80-81. Also note Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, op.cit., p. 190, for their study on Yixing potters of the twentieth century and the practice of signing names of earlier potters on later works. See also a pomegranate waterpot and an aubergine water dropper, both signed Chen Mingyuan and sold in our rooms, 24th May 1978, lots 338 and 345, and later, 5th October 2011, lots 2019 and 2024 respectively.