十七世紀 竹根雕松石水牛圖筆山 《朱三松製》仿款

meticulously carved as a mountainous landscape depicting a water buffalo emerging from underneath a tall craggy cliff into an open area surrounded by low rocks, in the foreground a gnarled pine tree growing amidst wutong trees, inscribed in seal script with an apocryphal signature reading Zhu Sansong zhi ('made by Zhu Sansong') on the reverse, with an attractive patina of rich caramel brown tone, hongmu stand

仇焱之收藏
香港蘇富比1994年5月3/4日，編號327

《One Man's Taste. Treasures from the Lakeside Pavilion》，鮑氏東亞藝術博物館，日內瓦，1988年，編號W11

It is in overall very good condition, except for some expected minute nicks to the extremities. There was possibly a figure in front of the buffalo which is now missing.
"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."

匠人巧妙運用竹根質地特色雕作筆山，宛若山水開闊，耕牛徐步，融天地於其間。筆山為文人案頭要件，不僅作實用之物，亦養性怡情。水牛象徵之意，深植中國傳統文人隱士文化，宋代以降，已有贈饋文官水牛樣式器物之習。

紐約蘇富比曾售出三件雕作牧牛題材筆山，其一於1981年2月27日，編號307，另二原為 Walter and Mona Lutz 伉儷珍藏，2008年3月18日售出，編號55。亦可比較竹根雕山子，如上海博物館藏之竹根雕松石人物山子，錄於展覽圖錄《竹鏤文心：竹刻珍品特集》，上海，2012年，編號43；另一件藏於香港藝術館，載於《中國竹刻藝術》，香港，1978年，上冊，編號19。

筆山銘朱三松款，朱氏為十七世紀嘉定一代最富盛名竹雕匠師，尤以圓雕馳名，作品風格立體，廣為當時竹人傚法，且書三松名款。