JIU XIAO YUN PEI: AN IMPORTANT CONFUCIUS-STYLE LACQUERED GUQIN MING DYNASTY OR EARLIER

the flat elongated body with two waisted sections on both sides, lacquered with red paint underneath and black as the top layer, the surface slightly ice-cracked and worn due to age, the top with thirteen inlaid-gold studs (jinhui), seven strings threaded through tasseled white jade pegs (qinzhen) running over the top and tied to either of the two button-like jade pegs (yanzu) on the back, with two rectangular openings, the large one termed 'dragon pool' (longchi) and the smaller 'phoenix pond' (fengzhao), the underside bearing an inscription jiu xiao yun pei (in the highest sky with a jade disc pendant) and a square four-character seal reading shi shang liu quan (stream flows over the rock)

There are some minor cracks and loss of black lacquer in small areas consistent with age and wear. It has some retouching of lacquer showing signs of restoration. It is overall in good condition and can still be played.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

‘Jiu Xiao Huan Pei’ is a name given to the guqin made by the legendary Master Lei in the Tang dynasty, according to Tao Zongyi（1329-1421). There are four other known guqin bearing the name: one in the collection of the Beijing Palace Museum, one in the China National Museum, one in the Liaoning Provincial Museum, and one sold at China Guardian, Beijing, 13th July 2003, lot 1274. The term is also found in Ming dynasty literature, such as poems by Zhu Chengyong（1458-1498）and HuangZuo（1490-1566), referring to the music of the immortal land. 

‘Shi Shang Liu Quan’ is the name of one of the oldest guqin music scores, written in the Tang dynasty and recorded in various tablatures.

This guqin belonged to Mr. Tsun Yuen Lui (Lu Zhenyuan) who was a student of the Master Cha Fuxi of the Yushan School.  Mr. Lui moved to California in the 1950s and became a tutor of Guqin to university students and American enthusiasts.  He performed at various venues including Carnegie Hall, New York and made several radio broadcasts and recordings of his music.  He was a friend of Zhang Daqian and a collector of his paintings.  Mr. Lui always believed that this guqin was of the Song dynasty, and he once performed with it for Zhang at his residence in California, and afterwards, Zhang complimented this ‘Song’ guqin and wrote a short essay for the occasion, in which Zhang described the music as “the breezing sound of wind and the flowing water gurgling (fengsheng xixi, shuisheng zongzong)”.