Page 178 - Christie's Important Chinese Art Nov 3 2020 London

(detail)

PROPERTY FROM A PRINCELY COLLECTION
153
A VERY RARE IMPERIAL YIXING STONEWARE INKSTONE
YONGZHENG PERIOD (1723-1735)
The inkstone is of circular form with a recessed channel encircling the interior. The sides of the exterior are
exquisitely decorated in slip with a continuous scene depicting a bare, wintry landscape that centres on
three islands in a river with a sampan, the branches of the windswept trees all in silhouette without leaves.
On one island, a scholar is depicted leaning on his staff as he walks towards a hut, his attendant trailing
behind. The stoneware is of a rich brown tone. The original fitted black lacquer box is finely decorated in
gilt and red lacquer with four bats encircling a stylised floral medallion, within a scrolling border centred
with lotus flowers. The interior of the cover is further embellished with scattered floral sprigs.
The ink stone 9¿ in. (23 cm.) diam., excluding fitted lacquer box
£60,000-80,000 US$77,000-100,000
€66,000-88,000
PROVENANCE:
Bonhams Hong Kong, 28 November 2011, lot 250
Property from a Princely Collection.
This inkstone is notable for the exceptional quality of the intricate, detailed slip decoration and for being
offered together with its original lacquer box. A related imperial Yixing stoneware inkstone dated to the
Yongzheng period in the Palace Museum collection, Beijing, is illustrated in Yixing Zisha Wares in the
Palace Museum, Beijing, 2009, p.193, pl. 111 (fig.1). However, the Palace Museum inkstone is decorated
with bats and 'shou' characters amongst clouds and has no original lacquer box.

貴族私人珍藏
清雍正 紫泥泥繪策杖行旅圓形硯
來源:
香港邦瀚斯, 2011年11月28日, 拍品250號

(another view)

176 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.