THE CHINESE
COLLECTION
Sampan Below Rocky Cliffs Seal
Soapstone seal.
H17
A finely carved Soapstone seal, with a small figure guiding a sampan through
stormy seas with crested waves, beneath a towering rocky cliff, with a gnarled
tree clinging to the edge of elaborately tiered rockwork extending around all
four sides, inscribed Meng Yan xing shang ("For Meng Yan's heartfelt
appreciation''). The use of the differing colours in this work really is
masterly, the tree stands out in a dark russet colour, but even the figure's
face is paler than his body and the boat is another pale russet tone.
Chinese, 18th century.
Provenance: Robert Kleiner.
Dimensions: 8.5cm high x 6.5cm wide x 6.5cm depth.
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