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A SET OF THREE MICRO-INSCRIBED SOAPSTONE SEALS BY ZHAO SHURU (1874-1945) QING DYNASTY, GUANGXU PERIOD, DATED TO 1903
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 HKD
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Description
- soapstone
the opaque stones of variegated brown tones, each of irregular, pebble form, finely engraved with an inscription in minute running script followed by the signature and date Guangxu sanshi nian Zhao Shuru ke (‘carved by Zhao Shuru in the thirtieth year of the Guangxu period’, corresponding to 1903), the seal face crisply carved with different inscriptions, reading Letianming (‘happy with life’), chudali (‘prosperity will come’), and ji (‘good fortune’) respectively
Provenance
J. J. Lally & Co., New York, March 2006.
Condition
The seal to the left on the photographs has an old tiny nick to the upper right edge with a small associated hairline crack in the stone (visible on the catalogue photo), the two others are in very good condition. The actual colour of the stone is slightly darker compared to the catalogue photo.
"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
These three seals are the work of the late-Qing artist Zhao Shuru (1874-1945) whose ming was Shigang. His hao were Renchang and Ernu laoren, and his various studio names include Ernu jingshe, Shuangnu ji, Hanbi zhai, Nanbi kan, Yuyu shi and Puyi lu. Zhao was a native of Zhengxian in Zhejiang province, but moved to live in Shanghai with his father in his youth. In Shanghai, he made a name for himself as a painter, calligrapher, seal carver and an art teacher. He was especially skilled in painting horses, a subject he is said to have enjoyed most .
The inscriptions on the present set of three seals are excerpts from four texts that exist in the calligraphy of the Yuan dynasty calligrapher, painter, and writer Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322).