A White Jade Shaped Rectangular Pendant Plaque, 18th century. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013
One side is well carved with a scene of the Northern Song poet, Mi Fu, accompanied by an attendant, bowing to a tall, pierced rock, and on the reverse with a lengthy inscription, mi zhang ai yan fu ai shi/tan gui jue qi jiu wei pi/shi xiong zu bai zi xie tu/nai zhi dian ming bu xu de, and signed Zigang, all below confronted archaistic dragons at the top. The stone is of even white color. 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm.) high. Estimate $30,000 – $50,000
Provenance: Lizzadro Collection, Chicago, Illinois, acquired prior to 1960.
Notes: The inscription is taken from the poem, An inscription on the Painting of Mi Fu Bowing to a Stone, by the Yuan master Ni Zan, and may be translated, 'Mi Zhang [Mi Fu] loves inkstones and hence loves stones; who becomes obsessed in searching for beautiful and rare pieces. He paints a work portraying himself before a stone calling it "big brother"; the reputation of his eccentricity is indeed well deserved.'
Christie's. A COLLECTING LEGACY: FINE CHINESE JADE CARVINGS AND WORKS OF ART FROM THE LIZZADRO COLLECTION (PART II). 19 September 2013. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. www.christies.com