Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat (B. 1943) 2012

ink on cloud-dragon and xuan paper, with three seals of the artist: Shuisongshi shanfang ('The Water, Pine and Stone Retreat'), Xiezhang laoren ('The old man who carries the staff'),  and Yi er san ('One, two, three'), mounted as hanging scroll

The overall condition is extremely good.
"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."

INSCRIPTION:

One of the seven vine-staves of the Cascade Master seemed to have at its head an image of a man standing admiring a strange rock formation from the base of which a spring fed a stream which soon became a waterfall.  To what extent it was natural or not, I never knew, but he told me that one summer he had followed a river high in the mountains climbing to its source and while standing admiring the stone, he noticed a fine ancient vine growing nearby.  He cut a likely staff from it.  Only when he had taken it home and cleaned and polished it, did he realize it was a record of his adventure. I am inclined to believe that in this strange case, the images were entirely natural, without any editing by his hand, although he never confirmed or denied it when I questioned him, he only smiled enigmatically.  Because of its origins, he called it 

Admiring the Source

It was far from the most powerful of his staves, but could find water unerringly, even deep in the ground where otherwise none could be discerned.  Inscribed by the Master of the Water Pine and Stone Retreat treasuring the ink and dancing with a favourite old brush at the Terrace of the Garden at the Edge of the Universe in the spring of 2012.