AN EXTREMELY RARE SOAPSTONE INSCRIBED RECTANGULAR INK REST SIGNED ZHOU BIN KANGXI PERIOD, DATED TO 1706

of rectangular form, carved on one side in low relief with formalised archaistic motifs resembling the taotie masks, flanked by two pairs of confronting stylised mythical animals to the long edges, the reverse meticulously incised in ink and fine clerical script with an ancient text emphasising the importance of discretion, the bottom edge signed Zhou Bin zuogu ('Making antiquity by Zhou Bin'), dated to bingxu chuxia ('Early summer of the bingxu year'), corresponding to 1706, the smoothly polished stone of a warm mutton-fat tone, zitan stand

Apart from some surface scratches and minor wear to the ink decoration, the overall condition is excellent.
"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."

Zhou bin, zi Shangjun, a native of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, was one of the most renown carvers of soapstone during the 17^th and early 18^th centuries. He belonged to a small group of carvers who excelled both technically and artistically and were considered masters in the medium. The present plaque is notable for its unusual and elegant stylisation of taotie masks, thus imbuing the archaic decorative motif with a contemporaneity suited to the aesthetic of when it was created. For further examples of Zhou Bin's work, see a soapstone seal from the Shuisongshi collection, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat.no. 43, and sold in these rooms, 8^th October 2010, lot 2238; and two further pieces exhibited ibid, a  brushpot of mottled, opaque honey brown colouration, cat. no. 84, and a figure of a lohan soapstone figure, cat. no. 44.

The stone employed in making the present plaque is of translucent beige-white colouration known as baifurong. Although also mined from the Shoushan area, it is distinctly different from other soapstones with its white speckling within the translucent surface. A set of baifurong stone seals was sold in these rooms, 17^th May 1989, lot 410; and a large seal carved with a mythical beast was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1/3^rd May 1994, lot 501.