拍品 2165
  • 2165

A FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE 'SCHOLARS' PLAQUE, SIGNED ZIGANG QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

估價
350,000 - 400,000 HKD
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描述

the small rectangular plaque finely carved in shallow relief on one side with a scholar seated below a gnarled pine tree playing a qin, while a farmer sits at the edge of a cliff listening, carved with the characters Zigang inscribed within a small cartouche, the reverse with a scholar and an acolyte walking through a garden, the stone of even bright white tone

Condition

The overall condition is very good with no nicks or chips. The stone is very even 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."

拍品資料及來源

The imagery of this plaque, with its sensitively carved figures in a rocky landscape filled with trees and swirling clouds, is characteristic of the decorative arts of the Ming and early-Qing period such as woodblock illustrations, blue-and-white porcelain and carved works of art. Compare a plaque similarly carved with figures in landscape on both sides, depicting the 'four occupations' of fishing, wood gathering, farming and scholarship, but within an frame of sinuous qilong, illustrated in James C.Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, pl. 60.

As the jade plaque pendant did not become popular until the late Ming dynasty, it is doubtful whether Lu Zigang (active in the second half of the 16th century) ever carved a plaque like the present piece. However, his expertise in the medium of carving saw his name become synonymous with the finest carved white jades, and many of the jades produced a century after his death bore his 'signature'. These plaques are now referred to as 'Zigang plaques'; compare a similar piece depicting a scholar and attendant in a landscape under a similar swirling sky and inscription on the reverse, from the Zhirouzhai Collection, included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 201b, and sold in these rooms, 8th October 2008, lot 2348.