Page 34 - The Ian and Susan Wilson Collection Schilar's Objects, Christie's, March 2016

1118

A LARGE BAMBOO ROOT SEAL
18TH-19TH CENTURY

The naturally formed seal is of irregular
shape with protrusions, striations and
nodules. The seal-face is carved with a
phrase from the The Chinese Code of Success:
Maxims by Zhuzi, which may be translated
as ‘even though the coming generations
are of lesser intellect, it is indispensible [for
them] to study’.

5Ω in. (14 cm.) high

$5,000-7,000

PROVENANCE

By repute: David Kidd (1926-1996)
Collection, Japan.

The text of the inscription comes from an
article written by Zhu Bolu (Zhuzi [1627-1698]),
a Ming dynasty scholar. It was meant as an
instruction to his own descendants, but has
become a guide for later generations of Chinese
for conduct in their homes, at the workplace,
and in society.

清十八/十九世紀 大竹根印

1119
A LARGE BAMBOO ROOT SEAL

18TH CENTURY

Of rhinoceros horn form, the seal is
carved from a rhizome with a writhing
chilong on one side, and the seal face is
carved with four characters, ru ci jiang
shan (‘river and mountain such as this’).
The bamboo is patinated to a reddish-
brown tone.
3Ω in. (8.8 cm.) high
$3,000-5,000

PROVENANCE

By repute, David Kidd (1926-1996)
Collection, Japan.

清十八世紀 竹根印

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