A MULTI-COLOURED SOAPSTONE 'RED CLIFF' BOULDER QING DYNASTY

of half-dome form, carved as a scenic landscape depicting a boatman on his single-mast raft drifting at sunset on a river between rocky shores, the stone divided in four contrasting strata, the flowing stream defined in the central pale-beige and ochre-yellow layers, skilfully detailed with the sailor's raft picked out in a russet vein, between a 'chicken-blood' section at the top evoking gleaming red mountains and a pale-grey coloured inclusion mottled with black specks materializing the bottom shore, the reverse incised with the verses of Su Shi's Nian Nu Jiao. Chi Bi Huaigu ('Reminiscing at the Red Cliff')

The boulder is overall in very good 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."