A BAMBOO VENEER 'LANDSCAPE' WRISTREST BY CHEN HONGSHOU (1768-1822) QING DYNASTY, JIAQING PERIOD, DATED TO 1816

of cylindrical-segment form, deftly carved in liuqing technique with a riverbank landscape, depicting a walled country residence amidst pine trees and wutong in the foreground, and a further pavilion on the opposite riverbank, all beneath craggy rocks in the distance, the top right corner carved with an inscription in running script reading Jiaqing bingzi (‘bingzi year of the Jiaqing reign’, corresponding to 1816), followed by the signature Mansheng, and the seal Shou

The underside has a few tiny chips, especially to the corners. Apart from some very minor nicks, surface scratches and old stains, the overall condition is quite good. The actual colour is darker than on the catalogue illustration, the 'liuqin' details are not yellow but pale brown compare to the photo, the ground is of a deeper and warmer reddish-brown tone.
"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."

The present finely carved bamboo wristrest bears the signature of Chen Hongshou (1768-1822). Chen, zi Zigong and hao Mansheng, was a native of Qiantang in Zhejiang province. He was a cultured literatus who acquired his acclaim as a calligrapher, painter and seal carver. In 1816, the year this piece was made, Chen was appointed magistrate of Yixing in Jiangsu province, where he spent three years reviving and inspiring the local industry producing Yixing wares. For Chen’s biography see K.S. Lo, The Stoneware of Yixing, Hong Kong, 1986, pp. 95-101, where three Yixing teapots, produced by his studio and inscribed by him, are illustrated pls. 34-36. Another teapot by Chen, from the collection of W.W. Winkworth, was sold in our London rooms, 29th May 1962, lot 118; and another dated and signed vessel, made by Yang Pengnian and inscribed by Chen, from the collections of Tom Y. P. Yee and Robert Hall, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st December 2010, lot 3096.

This wristrest appears to be the only piece of bamboo carving associated with Chen, however, the style of carving endorses the supposition that he made the piece himself. It is painterly in style, with confident strokes and a complete mastery of the iron-brush of a seal carver. Chen has created a fine ‘painting’ on a bamboo with the skill of an accomplished artist.

The carving of the wristrest is in the liuqing technique, a method of carving that involved the manipulation of the contrasting colours of the smooth greenish bamboo skin and the darker and more fibrous inner layer of the stalk. See a wristrest by Zhang Xihuang in this catalogue (lot 165) made in the same technique; and further compare a wristrest of similar style and colouring, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 2nd November 1999, lot 702.