Page 80 - Sotheby's Speelman Collection Oct. 3, 2018

3418

A RARE CHENXIANGMU 明

TEAPOT AND COVER WITH A 沉香木雕小盃、茶壺一組三件
PAIR OF CUPS

MING DYNASTY

the teapot carved from a gnarled section of chenxiangmu
(eaglewood), with slender tapered sides rising to high
shoulders and a flared neck, set with a curved spout opposite
a loop handle and a small protruding stump on one side,
carved in low relief with a continuous scene of scholars among
jagged rocks and verdant trees, one side with three sages
conversing near two others engaged in a game of weiqi, the
reverse with a group gathered at a table listening to their
companion playing on a qin, all below undulous mountains and
clouds encircling the shoulder, the handle and spout detailed
with prunus branches, the neck decorated with a further
scholar on a rocky path, the flat cover of conforming irregular
outline surmounted by two rows of chrysanthemum petals
culminating in a fruit finial, the base, rims and spout mounted
in metal, the interior fitted with a metal liner; together with
a pair of matching cups carved with sages and attendants
sheltered beneath pine and bamboo or wutong trees
teapot: 22.2 cm, 8¾ in.
cups: 5.5 and 5.2 cm, 2¼ and 2 in.
◉ HK$ 1,000,000-1,500,000
US$ 128,000-192,000
Extremely brittle and difficult to carve, chenxiangmu is
typically found in small segments and traditionally pieced
together to form small articles. Objects of relatively larger
size are more vulnerable to natural fissures and flakes; it is
therefore very rare to find teapots carved from this medium in
such large size and good condition, no other example appear
to be known.
Chenxiangmu was one of the most valued types of wood
in China due to its aromatic and medicinal qualities. The
properties of the wood have been discussed in several
publications, including Robert Ellsworth in Chinese Furniture.
Hardwood Examples of the Ming and Early Ch’ing Dynasties,
New York, 1970, p. 46, who describes it as lignaloes, a
succulent wood from a species sometimes considered a
tree, sometimes a shrub; and Sheila Riddell in Dated Chinese
Antiquities 600-1650, London, 1979, p. 228, who calls it gharu
wood (aquilaria agallocha), a highly-esteemed type with the
best quality sourced from Cambodia, according to Chau
Ju-Kua, the renowned 12th century traveller. Furthermore,
Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss in the catalogue to the
exhibition Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan
Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 216,
comment that chenxiangmu was frequently used for burning
incense.
Libation cups carved from chenxiangmu are generally after
rhinoceros horn cups in appearance. These cups are usually
made from small pieces of wood joined together by lacquered
seams. See a set of four sold in our London rooms, 15th May
2013, lot 203 and another from the Robert H. Blumenfield
collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 22nd March 2012, lot
1298.

78 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比