A CARVED FURONG FIGURE OF GUANYIN ZHOU BIN MARK, QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

the warm cream-coloured stone carved in the form of Guanyin depicted seated regally, with the right foot partially exposed and the right leg raised supporting the hands, one of which is holding rosary beads, her face rendered with a serene expression below neatly drawn back hair and a tall cowl, dressed in long flowing robes cascading into voluminous folds with the chest exposed, the hems of the robes and cowl bordered with finely incised scrollwork, ruyi and dragon bands, the fabric further depicted with soaring dragons and phoenix, the reverse incised with a four-character inscription reading Zhou Bin bai zhi, resting on an oval dark mahogany-brown and red soapstone base delicately incised with a stylised border within a floral diapered frieze, the detail picked out in black and red pigments

Nagatani, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1973.
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Mayer, Winnetka, Illinois.
Christie's New York, 20th September 2013, lot 1760.

There are shallow chips to the extremities, the most prominent measuring approx. 2 cm to the hem of her robe, another approx. 0.8 cm to the cowl, and a small chip to the big toe. There are also slight losses to the pigment. A residue of adhesive is visible - possibly securing the figure to the base, under which expected scratches are visible.
"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."

Sensitively carved figures of high quality craftsmanship, depicting Guanyin and other popular deities, were produced from furong and other shoushan stones in the 17th and 18th century. Another Guanyin of this form, depicted with similar iconography, formerly in the Marcel Lorber collection and latterly the Mary and George Bloch collection, and illustrated by Paul Moss, Between Heaven and Earth. Secular and Divine Figural Images in Chinese Paintings, London, 1988, no. 58, was sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2007, lot 56. See also a bai furong carved figure of Guanyin by Yang Yuxuan, sold in these rooms, 29th October 2001, lot 692.

The name of Zhou Bin, zi Shangjun, was a native of Zhangzhou in Fujian province, was recorded by Fang Zonggui in Shoushanshi zhi [Records of Shoushan Stone], Fuzhou, 1982, pp. 77-78, where he notes that Zhou’s works were always prized in artistic circles and that he used the Chinese painting concept of xieyi ('idea painting') in carving landscapes, flowers, pines, and bamboo. Amongst his carvings are seals and a series of small figural sculptures of luohan, usually seated on elaborate cushions or rockwork bases, of which several have survived, including an example illustrated by Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 1986, cat. no. 7 44; and a figure from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat collection, depicted holding a lion cub and seated on a stepped platform , sold in these rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 136. Other carvings by Zhou include a luohan in the National Museum of History, Beijing, published in Zhongguo wenwu jinghua daquan: Jin yin yu shi juan [Complete series on the finest cultural relics of China: gold, silver, jade and stone volume], Hong Kong, 1994, p. 83, pl. 242; a tianhuang figure of Maitreya, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo meishu quanji [The complete collection of Chinese art], vol. 6, Beijing, 1988, pl. 158; and a baifurong figure of Maitreya, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 25th May 2011, lot 208.