'SCHOLARS ADMIRING A WATERFALL', XI GANG (1746-1803) China. Ink and watercolor on paper. Depicting two scholars and their attendant resting on a cliff near a waterfall that literally emerges from the mist. The attendant fanning the oven to heat water for tea, while the scholars enjoy the monumental scenery. Mounted to a dark blue brocade frame with carved hardwood finials, possibly Zitan.

Inscriptions: Top right signed 'in Qiantang, by Meng Tiesheng' and three seals 'Tiesheng'.

Provenance: New York trade.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, little soiling, staining, some creasing, foxing, browning, and few wormholes. The mount with small losses.

Dimensions: Image size 169.4 x 94.6 cm, Size incl. mounting 201.5 x 105.7 cm

Xi Gang (1746-1803) was a renowned seal carver and painter in the mid-Qing Dynasty. He was born in Qiantang (present-day Hangzhou). His style name was Chunzhang and his pseudonym Tiesheng. Other names include Hezhusheng and Mengquan Waishi. His specialty was monumental yet delicately executed landscapes and his style is representative of the Southern School. He was also talented in prose and calligraphy.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 25 November 2014, lot 1086
Price: HKD 112,500 or approx. EUR 17,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Xi Gang (1746-1803), Landscapes after Old Masters
Expert remark: Compare the related motif. Note that the lot comprises eight leaves, the size being 21 x 16.6 cm each.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 26 May 2008, lot 1274
Price: HKD 87,500 or approx. EUR 16,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Xi Gang (1746-1803), The Bodhisattva Guanyin
Expert remark: Compare the manner in which the rocks, trees and figures are executed. Note the size (125 x 31.7 cm).



奚岡(1746-1803)《觀瀑圖》
中國。紙本水墨設色。描繪文人與其隨從在瀑布附近的懸崖上休息。侍者搧著爐子燒水泡茶，文人則在觀瀑。

款識：錢塘蒙鐵生

來源：紐約古玩交易。
品相：狀況極好，有輕微磨損、少量污漬、染色、一些摺痕、起毛、褐變和少量蟲洞。裝裱有少量缺損。

尺寸：畫面169.4 x 94.6 厘米，總201.5 x 105.7 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2014年11月25日，lot 1086
價格：HKD 112,500（相當於今日EUR 17,500）
描述：清奚岡《仿古山水》
專家評論：比較相近主題。請注意此組畫有八幅，每幅畫尺寸為21 x 16.6 厘米。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2008年5月26日，lot 1274
價格：HKD 87,500（相當於今日EUR 16,500）
描述：清奚岡《觀音菩薩》
專家評論：比較岩石、樹木和人物描繪風格。請注意尺寸(125 x 31.7 厘米)。