Lot 3645
- 3645
A FINELY CARVED LARGE TIANHUANG ‘RECLINING DOG’ SEAL QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH CENTURY, PRESENTED BY PU RU TO MIYIN TEMPLE AND INSCRIBED BY CHENG SONGWAN IN 1921 |
Estimate
5,000,000 - 8,000,000 HKD
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Description
- tianhuang
- 5 cm, 2 in.174.90 gr.
of rectangular section, surmounted by a recumbent dog with its head resting on its front paws, the bifurcated mane and body of the beast finely detailed with incisions to simulate fur, one longer side of the seal incised with a lengthy inscription dated to the second month of xinyou year (corresponding to 1921) and signed by Cheng Songwan, the base with a five-character inscription reading Wei shanshui guniu, the rich caramel-yellow soapstone with a glossy patina
Provenance
Collection of Pu Ru (1896-1963).
Presented to Haiyin Zhanglao in 1921.
Presented to Haiyin Zhanglao in 1921.
Condition
There is a natural nick to the right eyebrow of the dog, the tip of its snout may be slightly polished. Some minute nibbling elsewhere along the extremities and a faint, diagonal natural flaw to one side of the seal.
"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
Carved with a charming figure of a reclining dog, the face to this seal reads Weishan shui guniu (Wei Mountain Water Buffalo). Weishan refers to Weishan Lingyou (771-853), a Chinese Chan master and cofounder of the Weiyan sect of Chan Buddhism. The shui guniu (water buffalo) is a further reference to Weishan Lingyou, as when he was on his deathbed, he vowed to be reborn as a water buffalo at the foot of the mountain to serve and labour for others. His teaching, 'To be a great leader of Buddhism, one must first do service for all sentient beings', symbolises the Bodhisattva practice of loving-kindness and compassion to help all beings attain enlightenment. The inscription on this seal reads and can be translated as follows:
On the second month of the xinyou year (1921) in Wei Mountain, Haiyin Zhanglao returned from the north and brought along with him a stone presented by Xinyu Jushi [Puru] with a message of Lingyou Chan Master. It was the treasure of the Miyin Temple in the Wei Mountain. Signed by Cheng Songwan.
The same journey is recorded in a poem written by the monk Haiyin Shangren (also known as Haiyin Zhanglao) entitled Xinyou Eryue Shiliuri Dumen Haishan Tuzhong Zagan Jianji Xinyu Jushi [The miscellaneous thoughts during the withdrawal from Du Gate and of Xinyu Jushi], whereby on the 26th day of the 2nd month in 1921 (xinyou year), he returned to Wei Mountain from Beijing. This poem was in turn collected by the famous painter Puru (1896-1963) and published in Puru ji [Collection of Puru], xia [vol. 2], Zhejiang, 2015, pp. 930-931.
Another poem, Xueye Du Xinshejushi shilishu gan [Thoughts after reading poems by Xinyu Jushi in a snowy night], was also composed commemorating related events, providing the account of Haiyin Shangren arriving in Wuchang in March to visit the artist Cheng Songwan. Haiyin presented Cheng with a poem from Puru expressing his longing for Cheng, and also showed him the seal. In return, Cheng composed a poem, which is likely that inscribed on the seal.
Haiyin Shangren (1861-1924) is one of the two famous shiseng (poet-monks) from Hunan active from the late Qing dynasty and an influential figure in Puru's knowledge of Chinese classics, painting and calligraphy. Also from Hunan and an acquaintance of Haiyin, Cheng Songwan (1865-1932) was a rare talent active in Shanghai in the early twentieth century, excelling in a wide range of arts including painting, calligraphy, embroidery and poetry. He was a founding member of two ci societies where literati gathered, the Xiangshe in Hunan and Oushe in Shanghai, as well as holding important positions in renowned academies, such as the Yuelu Academy in Changsha.
On the second month of the xinyou year (1921) in Wei Mountain, Haiyin Zhanglao returned from the north and brought along with him a stone presented by Xinyu Jushi [Puru] with a message of Lingyou Chan Master. It was the treasure of the Miyin Temple in the Wei Mountain. Signed by Cheng Songwan.
The same journey is recorded in a poem written by the monk Haiyin Shangren (also known as Haiyin Zhanglao) entitled Xinyou Eryue Shiliuri Dumen Haishan Tuzhong Zagan Jianji Xinyu Jushi [The miscellaneous thoughts during the withdrawal from Du Gate and of Xinyu Jushi], whereby on the 26th day of the 2nd month in 1921 (xinyou year), he returned to Wei Mountain from Beijing. This poem was in turn collected by the famous painter Puru (1896-1963) and published in Puru ji [Collection of Puru], xia [vol. 2], Zhejiang, 2015, pp. 930-931.
Another poem, Xueye Du Xinshejushi shilishu gan [Thoughts after reading poems by Xinyu Jushi in a snowy night], was also composed commemorating related events, providing the account of Haiyin Shangren arriving in Wuchang in March to visit the artist Cheng Songwan. Haiyin presented Cheng with a poem from Puru expressing his longing for Cheng, and also showed him the seal. In return, Cheng composed a poem, which is likely that inscribed on the seal.
Haiyin Shangren (1861-1924) is one of the two famous shiseng (poet-monks) from Hunan active from the late Qing dynasty and an influential figure in Puru's knowledge of Chinese classics, painting and calligraphy. Also from Hunan and an acquaintance of Haiyin, Cheng Songwan (1865-1932) was a rare talent active in Shanghai in the early twentieth century, excelling in a wide range of arts including painting, calligraphy, embroidery and poetry. He was a founding member of two ci societies where literati gathered, the Xiangshe in Hunan and Oushe in Shanghai, as well as holding important positions in renowned academies, such as the Yuelu Academy in Changsha.