worked with a seated luohan, possibly Vijraputra, seated within a rocky grotto beneath gnarled wutong branches, the figure rendered clad in loose robes with a recumbent mythical beast next to him, the reverse of the boulder further rendered with pine branches, the celadon stone with russet patches

Spink & Son Ltd，倫敦（標籤）

The boulder is in good condition with a few insignificant bruises to the edges. A few areas might have been slightly polished to conceal minor nibbles. There are some natural flaws to the stone, including a minor aggravated section of approx. 0.5 cm near the base.
"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."

The present boulder, with its powerful three-dimensional rendering of a luohan seated beside a mythical beast amongst a grotto, served not only as a symbolic religious imagery, but also excelled as a work of art in its own right.

A number of jade mountains or boulder with similar subjects is known in worldwide collections, including the British Museum (inv. no. 1930.12-17.15) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Jessica Rawson noted that inspiration of the subject matter may have originated from woodblock prints from the eighteenth-century publication Guyu Tu Pu ('Collection of Ancient Jade Drawing').

Compare a similar example illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pp. 409-410, cat. no. 29:19. The bold vertical edges of the rock face and the gnarled tree branch overhanging above the luohan share remarkable similarities to the current piece. A slightly taller boulder also attributed to the 18th-19th century, formerly in the collection of the T.B. Walker Foundation, was sold in these rooms, 20th October 1988, lot 191.