A Qing Dynasty Inscribed Olive Stone Carving Of A Boat Signed GUSHENG 1864.
Item History & Price
A Wonderful Opportunity to own this beautifully carved and RARE Qing Dynasty Olive stone Micro sculpture Carving Of " The Boat Of Chibi"
By Master carver Gusheng (1802-1876)
Signed GUSHENG ZUÒ. TONGZHI Period Dated JIAZI Year in accordance with 1864.
Gusheng became known for his olive stone carvings especially those depicting the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi and his companions in a pleasure boat visiting the Red Cliff (Chibi) Of which this is an exquisite example.
Si...milar pieces sold in Sothebys 2016 & 2018 for £2500.
The Boat with 26 passengers is Engraved with a Poem by Su Dongpo.
120 characters on the base.
Su Shi - (January 8 1037 - August 24 1101) also known as Su Dongpo was a writer, poet, painter, caligrapher, pharmacologist , gastronome and statesman of the Song Dynasty.
At Chibi (The Red Cliffs), the poet Su Shi (Dongpo) and his companion are sat drinking in the front of the boat, with 2 servants standing behind them. Both sides of the cabin are carved with windows,
With shutters which can be opened and closed easily. There are 26 people on the boat; 6 of them are watching the full moon.
The Chinese poem written on the base of the boat is as follows:
In the autumn of 1082, on the 16th of the seventh month, I, Su, and my guests sailed in a boat below the Red Cliffs.
Clear wind blew gently, the water was calm.
The boaters raised their wine and poured for each other, reciting "The Bright Moon" and singing "The Lovely One."
After a while, the moon rose above the eastern mountain, and hovered between the Dipper and the Cowherd star.
White mist lay across the water; the light from the water reached the sky.
They went where their tiny boat took them, floating on a thousand leagues of haze, in the vastness as if resting on emptiness and riding the wind, not knowing where they would stop, floating as if they had left the earth and stood alone, having turned into birds and become immortal.
And so they drank and their joy reached its height, and they sang beating on the side of the boat.
The song went:
Cassia oars and orchid paddles
Beat the illusory moon,
Rowing against the flow of streaming light.
From a great distance my heart
Yearns for my beloved at one end of the sky.
An absolutely exquisite piece with Master workmanship.
Influenced by Buddhism the kernels were carved into Zodiac animals, Immortal beings, magical animals and auspicious play things to wear them to expel evil things. The Royal court, Nobles, intellectuals, Merchants and officials loved to wear them as a sign of their status.
It measures approximately
Please see photos for more visual information and condition.
On 14-Jun-19 at 10:43:52 BST, seller added the following information:It measures approximately 4.5cm length x 1.5cm width x 1.5cm high.
By Master carver Gusheng (1802-1876)
Signed GUSHENG ZUÒ. TONGZHI Period Dated JIAZI Year in accordance with 1864.
Gusheng became known for his olive stone carvings especially those depicting the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi and his companions in a pleasure boat visiting the Red Cliff (Chibi) Of which this is an exquisite example.
Si...milar pieces sold in Sothebys 2016 & 2018 for £2500.
The Boat with 26 passengers is Engraved with a Poem by Su Dongpo.
120 characters on the base.
Su Shi - (January 8 1037 - August 24 1101) also known as Su Dongpo was a writer, poet, painter, caligrapher, pharmacologist , gastronome and statesman of the Song Dynasty.
At Chibi (The Red Cliffs), the poet Su Shi (Dongpo) and his companion are sat drinking in the front of the boat, with 2 servants standing behind them. Both sides of the cabin are carved with windows,
With shutters which can be opened and closed easily. There are 26 people on the boat; 6 of them are watching the full moon.
The Chinese poem written on the base of the boat is as follows:
In the autumn of 1082, on the 16th of the seventh month, I, Su, and my guests sailed in a boat below the Red Cliffs.
Clear wind blew gently, the water was calm.
The boaters raised their wine and poured for each other, reciting "The Bright Moon" and singing "The Lovely One."
After a while, the moon rose above the eastern mountain, and hovered between the Dipper and the Cowherd star.
White mist lay across the water; the light from the water reached the sky.
They went where their tiny boat took them, floating on a thousand leagues of haze, in the vastness as if resting on emptiness and riding the wind, not knowing where they would stop, floating as if they had left the earth and stood alone, having turned into birds and become immortal.
And so they drank and their joy reached its height, and they sang beating on the side of the boat.
The song went:
Cassia oars and orchid paddles
Beat the illusory moon,
Rowing against the flow of streaming light.
From a great distance my heart
Yearns for my beloved at one end of the sky.
An absolutely exquisite piece with Master workmanship.
Influenced by Buddhism the kernels were carved into Zodiac animals, Immortal beings, magical animals and auspicious play things to wear them to expel evil things. The Royal court, Nobles, intellectuals, Merchants and officials loved to wear them as a sign of their status.
It measures approximately
Please see photos for more visual information and condition.
On 14-Jun-19 at 10:43:52 BST, seller added the following information:It measures approximately 4.5cm length x 1.5cm width x 1.5cm high.
