Page 27 - Christies Asia Week 2015 Chinese Works of Art
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PROPERTY FROM THE FAMILY OF K’UNG HSIANG-HSI (mark)
2016
A RARE SONGHUA STONE BOX AND COVER
KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)
Of olive-green color, the box and cover are carved on the exterior in imitation of basket
weave. The interior of the cover is carved with a six-character inscription, Wumen Gu
Erniang zao ( ‘made by Gu Erniang of Wumen’).
4Ω in. (10.7 cm.) diam.
$10,000-15,000
PROVENANCE:
The K’ung Hsiang-Hsi (Kong Xiangxi, 1881- 1967) Collection, New York, and thence by
descent within the family.
A native of Suzhou, Gu Erniang’s maiden name was recorded as Zao, and she was known to have
been active during the Qing dynasty, probably during the Kangxi period. Married into a distinguished
family of ink stone carvers, she became a carver of ink stones herself, probably after the death of her
husband. For a discussion of Gu Erniang, see Zhongguo Meishu Jiarenming Cidian, Shanghai, 1985, p.
1531.
清康熙 松花石雕籮筐紋硯
蓋款：吳門顧二娘造
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