AN INSCRIBED AND CARVED BAMBOO 'NARCISSUS AND LINGZHI' GROUP SIGNED XIQIAO, QING DYNASTY, 17TH – 18TH CENTURY

skilfully modelled in openwork as small clusters of narcissus buds and blossoms borne on long stems and surrounded by slender curling leaves, all supported on a base detailed with two lingzhi blooms on the underside borne on a stem further issuing a lingzhi bloom at the side, the reverse with a long meandering leaf incised with an inscription about narcissus blooms and signed Xiqiao, the bamboo patinated to a warm golden-brown colour

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29th November 1978, lot 405.
Spink & Son Ltd., London.

Bamboo and Wood Carvings of China and the East, Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1979, cat. no. 292.
Oriental Works of Art, Oriental Art Gallery, London, 1992, cat. no. 65.

There is a minor break between the larger and smaller stems of lingzhi at the foot of the carving. Images of this are available upon request There are typical age cracks, and several small chips and bruises to the fragile extremities throughout.
"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."

According to Qingbai leichao [Qing petty matters anthology], Li Xiqiao, zi Qianyu, was a renowned and talented calligrapher, seal and bamboo carver from Anhui, active in the Qing dynasty. He was said to be more skilled in bamboo carving than the legendary master Pu Zhongqian (b. 1582) from the late Ming to early Qing dynasty.

This piece belongs to a distinct group of works of art for the scholar's desk carved with motifs steeped in auspicious symbolism. The narcissus (shuixian), a flower associated with the Chinese New Year, is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity as well as immortality, because its name is homophonous with the word 'immortal' (xian). Together with bamboo (zhu), which is homophonous with 'congratulate', and lingzhi, a symbol of immortality, it expresses the wish zhixian zhushou ('May the immortal fungus congratulate you on your birthday').