- 109
AN INSCRIBED ‘DUAN’ BRUSHPOT BY ZHENG JI, QING DYNASTY, XIANFENG PERIOD, DATED TO THE GENGSHENG YEAR (IN ACCORDANCE WITH 1860)
Estimate
80,000 - 100,000 HKD
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Description
- duanstone
the stone of a deep sage-green colour streaked with faint russet veins, of cylindrical form resting on a slightly countersunk base, carved with a long inscription in running script followed by the date Xianfeng gengshen siyue and a colophon bayu Yangcheng Jiuguai shi pang Menghuan ju ('[inscribed] at the Dream and Illusion Residence beside the Nine Strange Rocks at Yangcheng'), signed Zheng Ji
Condition
The mouth has a re-stuck original chip of approx. 1.7 x 4 cm. A few areas of the exterior footrim have been slightly polished down, probably to conceal a few flakes.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Zheng Ji (1813-1874) was a native of Xinhui in present-day Guangdong province. His personal name was Jichang, and sobriquet Hanshi (Foolish Scholar), and another sobriquet Mengxian Yuansou (Old Man of Dream Fragrance Garden). He was a painter, a scholar, and wealthy salt merchant.
The inscription around the brushpot can be translated as:
Duan Brook stone has been commonly made into inkstones since antiquity, but is now rarely crafted into brushpots. This stone’s smooth and lustrous quality and dull green colour make it even more suitable to hold brushes. As quoted from Yongbi shi “Song for a Brush” by Xu Chi (474-551): “Its fine hairs hold amassed moistness / And its delicate body emits fragrant mist.” Moreover, Youyang [Ji Shaoyu (fl. 541)] dreamed that Lu Chui (470-526) gave him a brush with a carved celadon jade shaft. In Ji Shaoyu’s dream Lu Chui said, “You yourself chose this excellent one.” Consequently Ji’s composition and writing advanced in excellence too. Now I give this brushpot to my elder brother Hemei (Crane Eyebrows) to use. As long as his brush stays moist, his composition and writing too should advance in excellence.
The inscription around the brushpot can be translated as:
Duan Brook stone has been commonly made into inkstones since antiquity, but is now rarely crafted into brushpots. This stone’s smooth and lustrous quality and dull green colour make it even more suitable to hold brushes. As quoted from Yongbi shi “Song for a Brush” by Xu Chi (474-551): “Its fine hairs hold amassed moistness / And its delicate body emits fragrant mist.” Moreover, Youyang [Ji Shaoyu (fl. 541)] dreamed that Lu Chui (470-526) gave him a brush with a carved celadon jade shaft. In Ji Shaoyu’s dream Lu Chui said, “You yourself chose this excellent one.” Consequently Ji’s composition and writing advanced in excellence too. Now I give this brushpot to my elder brother Hemei (Crane Eyebrows) to use. As long as his brush stays moist, his composition and writing too should advance in excellence.