- 204
Anonyme Chine, Dynastie Qing, XVIIIE-XIXE siècle
Description
- paper
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The four-character title reads wan shou chang chun (limitless longevity and eternal spring). The inscription may be translated as 'viewed under the Imperial order by two high officials Chen Chengzhi and Zhao Kai'.
Both Chen Chengzhi and Zhao Kai are mentioned with their official titles and ranks in Wulin jiushi (Old Matters Concerning Wulin), Siku quanshu ed., juan 9:8b and 9:9b. Chen attained the jinshi in 1151, after which he rose steadily through the ranks to exalted positions, reaching the offices listed above in 1183. Zhao Kai (1146-1180) was the second son of Emperor Xiaozong, the second Southern Song emperor, who reigned from 1162 to 1189. The seal impression, suggesting that the object was in the Southern Song palace collection, seems the same as those which appear on several early paintings and pieces of calligraphy (Gu Kaizhi, Wang Xizhi, among others).