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A FINELY CARVED HORN 'RAM' SEAL QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
the rectangular seal surmounted by a recumbent ram, the head with alert eyes and large curled horns turned to the right, the base of the seal crisply cut with four characters
Provenance
Collection of Carl Barkman (1919-2006), Dutch ambassador in 1946 in Chunqing and later posted in Nanking, Hong Kong and Beijing.
Condition
The present piece is in very good condition with the exception of short hairline age cracks running up the base, minor nibbles to the edges and very light scratches to the surface of the base.
"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."
"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 seal reads and can be translated as follows:
Xi zhan heng yu.
'Looking West I saw my humble house'
Tao Qian (365-427), also known as Tao Yuanming, was one of the most influential poets of the pre-Tang period. In one of his poems, Tao mentions 'I saw my humble house, I ran to it with joy'. In this poem Tao expressed his delight in leaving his official position and his joy in returning to his humble home where he was free to enjoy life. The four-character inscription on the present seal may have been inspired by this verse.