Page 184 - 2018 Hong Kong Important Chieese Art

This magnificently carved tianhuang figure is signed by one of always prized in artistic circles and that he used the Chinese
the great carvers of the 17th century, Zhou Bin, zi Shangjun, painting concept of xieyi (‘idea painting’) in carving landscapes,
a native of Zhangzhou in Fujian province. According to Gerald flowers, pines, and bamboo. Amongst his carvings are a
Tsang and Hugh Moss in the catalogue to the exhibition Arts series of small figural sculptures, usually seated on elaborate
from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University cushions or rockwork bases, of which several have survived;
of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 86, the early soapstone see a tianhuang carving of Maitreya, in the Palace Museum,
master carvers are set apart by one key feature: every figure Beijing, published in Zhongguo meishu quanji [The complete
is conceived as an individual work of art. This characteristic collection of Chinese art], vol. 6, Beijing, 1988, pl. 158; and a
is evident in the present carving, which is notable not only figure of Guanyin in a grotto, included in the exhibition Arts
for the outstanding piece of tianhuang it has been fashioned from the Scholar’s Studio, op. cit., cat. no. 165, together with
from but also in the careful and sensitive consideration of a soapstone luohan, cat. no. 44, sold in these rooms, 4th April
his facial expression and details to convey his spirit and 2012, lot 136.
individuality, as well as the masterfully conceived robes
Other carvings by Zhou include a luohan fashioned in stone,
which fall naturalistically around his body. The golden hue
in the National Museum of History, Beijing, published in
of the precious stone further imbues this figure with a sense
Zhongguo wenwu jinghua daquan: Jin yin yu shi juan [Complete
of vitality and wisdom, while the soapstone stand with its
series on the finest cultural relics of China: gold, silver, jade
openwork carving provides a pleasing contrast to his smooth
and stone volume], Hong Kong, 1994, p. 83, pl. 242; and a
contours.
baifurong figure of Maitreya, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 25th
Fang Zonggui in Shoushanshi zhi [Records of Shoushan May 2011, lot 208.
Stone], Fuzhou, 1982, pp. 77-78, notes that Zhou’s works were

182 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比