Pierre à encre en jade celadon sculpté chine, dynastie qing, marque et époque qianlong (1736-1795)

la pierre en forme de hâche, d'une belle couleur homogène au doux poli, marque à quatre caractères finement incisée au revers, dans sa boîte en bois (4)

Christie's Hong Kong, 30th October 2000, lot 746.
Acquired from Mayuyama Ryusendo, Tokyo.

The inkstone and box and cover are in overall very good condition. The jade is polished to a soft glow.
"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."

One of the four treasures of the scholar's studio, inkstones were made in a variety of materials, sizes and forms. Among the treasures formerly in the Qing Court Collection are a large number of inkstones emphasizing the appreciation the emperor had for these scholar's pieces, compare The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: The Four Treasures of the Study. Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005; among them, jade inkstones are rare. Often treasured for the quality and colour of the stone, the few known jade inkstones share the same quality of an extremely beautiful colour and flawlessness of the stone. See, for instance, a celadon jade inkstone of similar blade-shape, bearing a Jiaqing mark, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, cat.nos. 287 and 288; a pale celadon jade inkstone of smaller size and of oval shape, was included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Carving, Min Chiu Society and the Urban Council, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1983, cat.no. 272.