Lot 154
  • 154

AN INSCRIBED ZITAN 'PRUNUS' BRUSHPOT SIGNED GUO LIN (1767-1831) AND ZHANG XIONG (1803-1886) QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY, INSCRIBED BY ZHANG IN 1855

Estimate
140,000 - 180,000 HKD
bidding is closed

Description

  • zitan
of slightly waisted cylindrical form with a broad flat mouthrim set on three tapering feet, the exterior incised with a design of blossoming prunus branches, accompanied by two inscriptions, one poem in running script, signed Fuweng, Guo Lin, above the seal reading Lin, the other an xiang shu ying (‘Hidden fragrance, sparse shadows’), dated and signed yimao dong shi yue Zixiang Zhang Xiong (‘winter, tenth month of the yimao year, Zixiang Zhang Xiong’, corresponding to 1855), followed by the circular seal Zixiang, the wood of a reddish brown tone

Condition

There is a 6 cm forked age crack on the underside, and a couple of fine age cracks a the rim, however, the overall condition is otherwise very good. The actual patina is of a deeper brown colour compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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

Zitan brushpots are amongst the most treasured items of the scholar’s studio, and the present example is especially noteworthy for the fine and confident carving of the calligraphy. The poetic inscription is an excerpt from a poem by Li Fang (925-996) and may be translated as follows:

          Loosely woven bamboo blinds gently swaying, sun shining bright,
          The Compilation Bureau secluded and solemn, its door half closed,
          Entire courtyard full of blossoms, the spring day endless,
          No trouble brewing anywhere, so imperial edicts are few.

Guo Lin (1767-1831), zi Xiangbo and hao Fuwen, was a native of Wujiang, Jiangsu province. When young he studied with Yao Nai and his talent was recognized by Ruan Yuan (1764-1849), a scholar-official in the late Qing period. Guo was an avid collector, an accomplished writer and a skilled calligrapher, whose style was close to that of the famous Song dynasty master calligrapher Huang Tingjian. He was an occasional poet and painter, whose paintings of bamboos and rocks have an especially natural elegance. Guo also carved seals, frequently emulating the script style of the Han dynasty.

The present brushpot bears the signature of Zhang Xiong (1803-1886) who was a scholar from Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, but lived in Shanghai. He was famous for his talent in painting and calligraphy. Several works of art are known bearing Zhang’s name and they are, as a group, with excellent calligraphy and seals, suggesting that they may be by him or made under his patronage. See the thumbring (lot 184) in this catalogue that bears his name and the date 1866, executed in a similarly confident calligraphic hand wielding the ‘iron brush’ in a related style. The ring is signed with the use of the character zuo ('made by') indicating that it is Zhang’s carving. A collaboration is apparent in the pair of scroll weights (lot 169) in this catalogue, where one inscription says that Zhang Xiong painted an image to be copied onto the pair of scroll weights, while another artist carved it.