A SOAPSTONE SCHOLAR'S ROCK, QING DYNASTY China, 1740-1860. The opaque stone is of ochre color with scattered blood-red inclusions, a rare combination. Carved in shallow relief with a variation of Three Friends of Winter, Suihan Sanyou, or pine, bamboo, and plum, after a work by Zhao Mengjian, the famous Song dynasty painter. Provenance: From a British collector. Condition: Fine condition with extensive wear, traces of use and minor losses. Good natural patina. Some fissures and flaws inherent to the mineral. Weight: 463.1 g Dimensions: Length 15 cm The Chinese celebrated the pine, bamboo and plum together, as they observed that these plants do not wither as the cold days deepen into the winter season unlike many other plants. Known by the Chinese as the Three Friends of Winter, they later entered the conventions of East Asian culture. Together they symbolize steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience. They are highly regarded in Confucianism and as such represent the scholargentleman's ideal. 芙蓉石雕文人石，清代 中國，1740-1860。不透明的石料呈赭石色，散佈著血紅色的內含物，這是一種罕見的組合。 浮雕宋代著名畫家趙孟堅作品《歲寒三友》松竹梅圖。 來源：英國私人收藏 品相：品相良好，磨損嚴重，使用痕跡和輕微缺損。天然包漿良好，石内可見天然瑕疵。 重量：463.1 克 尺寸：長15 厘米