Lot 79. An Imperial pale green jade 'Wang Xizhi and geese' carving, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century. Estimate 600,000 — 800,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.
skilfully modelled as Wang Xizhi rendered reclining in a leisurely pose on jagged rockwork by a streaming river with two geese facing each other, the bearded scholar portrayed clad in loose robes and holding a scroll in its left hand, an attendant depicted in the round standing behind him and holding a further goose in his hands, the stone of a pale green colour with veins and inclusions, wood stand; 13 cm, 5 1/8 in.
Notes: This carving depicts the celebrated calligrapher, Wang Xizhi (AD 303-361), leisurely enjoying his book while geese swim by and his attendant brings him another goose. Wang found inspiration for his calligraphy in natural forms, including the graceful necks of geese, and his fondness for them is reflected in the famous story where he copied the Daoist classicDaodejing [the classic of the Dao and of virtue] for a priest in exchange for a white goose.
This charming piece belongs to a group of symbolic jade carvings made as sculptures, curios or paper weights to adorn scholar’s studios. It is particularly notable for its large size and delicate carving, as seen in the gentle expressions of the scholar and his assistant. It is also rare to find such depictions of historical figures. The dexterity of the carver is further attested in his ability to include the natural inclusions of the stone into the rendering of the rockwork.
Carvings with such prominent rockwork are rare, although two examples also depicting the scholar Wang Xizhi, were sold in our London rooms, 14th May 2014, lot 18, and in these rooms, 19th November 1985, lot 40 respectively. See also a similarly carved group of a scholar riding a horse and his attendant, sold in these rooms, 5th November 1996, lot 1044; a carving of a scholar and his dog, leaning on rockwork, sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2007; and a further example with a scholar leaning on a pile of books, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Carving, The Urban Council, Hong Kong, 1983, cat. no. 176.
Sotheby's. Roger Keverne - 50 Years in the Trade, Hong Kong, 05 oct. 2016, 10:00 AM