A FINE PAIR OF ‘CHICKEN BLOOD’ SOAPSTONE SEALS BY HE TANG, DATED 1879

拍品描述

A FINE PAIR OF ‘CHICKEN BLOOD’ SOAPSTONE SEALS BY HE TANG, DATED 1879 China. Each of square cross-section rising to a rounded top, vividly carved to the front in low relief with carps emerging from crashing waves above incised inscriptions. The seal faces with illegible inscriptions. One seal is of deep red color with a few beige, yellow, and gray inclusions and veins, the other of red tone mottled with cream inclusions. (2) Inscriptions: -One seal inscribed to the front, ‘The carving technique used for this seal is of ancient simplicity. The execution is precise and powerful, and it has an antique feel to it’, dated ‘the eighth month of the year Jimao (at the table of) my older cousin Lu (corresponding to 1879)’, and signed ’He Tang’. -The second seal inscribed, ‘[…] The design of this red and white seal (Zhuwen/Baiwen) is of a high, antique style. I am ashamed of my immaturity; (it) is not equal to that of the ancients, (it is) the first (of its kind)’ and signed ‘He Tang’. Dimensions: Height 8.6 cm and 8.5 cm Named for its striking coloration, chicken blood soapstone (Chin.: jixue shi) derives its vivid red hue from the presence of cinnabar within a soft, often gray or yellowish matrix of soapstone. Prized since the Qing dynasty, the stone was highly valued for seal carving and scholar’s objects Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2015, lot 746 Price: USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related color of the stone, form, and incised inscriptions. Note the size (5 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 10 March 2015, lot 8278 Price: USD 3,125 or approx. EUR 3,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related color of the stone, the form, and relief work depicting fish. Note the size (7.7 cm).

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