清十八世紀 白玉雕琴棋書畫鎮紙

skilfully worked to depict the 'four accomplishments', the seven-stringed qin rendered within a brocade sash loosely tied with a ribbon and partially exposing the instrument, next to a weiqi board beneath an opened book, all wrapped within a scroll painting incised on the reverse with prunus blooms, bamboo shoots and jagged cliffs, next to an inscription reading Suihan sanyou tu ('Picture of the Three Friends of Winter') followed by two seal marks reading shen and pin ('divine class'), the paperweight further decorated with a gnarled pine branch, the lustrous white stone with faint russet inclusions

The paperweight is in good condition. There are minute nicks to the edges with tiny sections possibly lightly polished, including the edges of the qin and the scroll on the reverse. The actual colour of the stone is whiter than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Compare a jade carving worked with a similar motif, illustrated in the exhibition, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, pp. 236-237, cat. no. 226 and sold in these rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2196, from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection.