XU XINZHOU (1853-1925), NARRATIVE SOAPSTONE BITONG BRUSHPOT Soapstone China, late Qing Dynasty This finely carved soapstone Bitong brush pot shows the artist signature of Xu Yinzhou – artist name Xingzhou (1853-1925) who was a student of the famous painter Wu Changshuo. He lived in the Wu county of the Jiangsu province. The inscription on the brush pot reads ‘Xu Xinzhou from the Wu School, on a spring day in March in the year …’The exterior of the vessel is masterly carved with a traveling group of men, many riding on Bactrian camels. They are surrounded by a magnificent landscape with pine trees, mountains, footbridges, pavilions and judging from their facial expressions all appear to be extremely excited about their adventurous journey. Shape: Cylindrical shape Dimensions: 12 cm (height), 12 cm (diameter) Weight: 1,347 gramsCondition: very good condition with minor traces of age and use, very tiny nicks along the natural veins in the material Provenance: Austrian private collection Auction results comparison: For a large carved soapstone seal by the same artist see Christie’s, Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 28 November 2012, lot 2292. 徐新周（1853-1925）皂石雕人物筆筒皂石 中国，晚清造型：圓筒形尺寸：高12 厘米，直徑12 厘米 重量：1,347 克品相：品相非常好，些微年代與使用痕跡，皂石肌理中很細微的小磕碰 来源： 奥地利私人收藏