A CARVED DUAN ‘DRAGON WITH SACRED PEARLS’ INKSTONE, QING DYNASTY
China, 1644-1912. The carver skillfully utilized a characteristic circular inclusion in the stone to depict a sacred pearl just below the ink pool. The top is finely carved in relief with undercutting to depict a fierce dragon clutching a second pearl and exhaling a gust of wind terminating in a lingzhi-shaped cloud, its sinuous body partly obscured by further swirling clouds.


Provenance:
From a notable private collection in Bavaria, Germany.

Condition:
Excellent condition with expected old wear, traces of use, the reverse with minuscule nicks, shallow surface scratches.

Weight: 1,577 g
Dimensions: Length 19.1 cm


Literature comparison:

Compare a related inkstone with a similar motif and use of the characteristic circular inclusions in the stone to depict a pearl, 38.5 cm long, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S2012.9.4867. Erroneously described as ‘inset jade’.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 11 September 2012, lot 337
Estimate: USD 7,000 or approx.
EUR 8,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved duan inkstone, Qing dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of carving, also utilizing the characteristic circular inclusions in the stone to depict pearls. Note the rounded form.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 27 September 2021, lot 609
Price: USD 16,380 or approx.
EUR 16,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A duan stone ‘dragon’ ink palette, Qing dynasty, 18th/19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of carving, also utilizing the characteristic circular inclusions in the stone to depict pearls. Note the different form and smaller size (9.5 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 9 November 2010, lot 8161
Price: USD 5,490 or approx.
EUR 7,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A duan stone ink stone with dragon decoration, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of carving, also utilizing the characteristic circular inclusions in the stone to depict pearls. Note the rounded form and the size (24.5 cm).




清代飛龍戲珠端硯

中國，1644 年至 1912 年。 巧妙地利用石頭中特有的圓形內沁，在硯崗下方描繪出一顆寳珠。硯額処浮雕雲中飛龍，一爪中抓著一顆珍珠，吞雲吐霧，形成如意狀的雲朵。線條流暢。


來源：
德國巴伐利亞私人收藏。

品相：
狀況極佳，有一些磨損、使用痕跡、背面有刻痕、表面淺劃痕。

重量：1,577 克
尺寸：長19.1 厘米


文獻比較：

比較一件相近雲龍戲珠硯台，長38.5 厘米，收藏於史密森國立亞洲藝術博物館，館藏編號S2012.9.4867。被錯誤地描述為“鑲玉”。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2012年9月11日，lot 337
估價：USD 7,000（相當於今日
EUR 8,500
）
描述：清端石雲龍戲珠硯
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和雕刻風格，還利用石頭中特有的圓形內含物來描繪珍珠。請注意圓滑的外形。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2021年9月27日，lot 609
價格：USD 16,380（相當於今日
EUR 16,500
）
描述：清十八 / 十九世紀端石雕雲龍戲珠紋筆掭
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和雕刻風格，還利用石頭中特有的圓形內含物來描繪珍珠。請注意不同的的外形和尺寸較小(9.5 厘米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：舊金山邦翰斯，9 11月 2010年，lot 8161
價格：USD 5,490
EUR 7,000
（相當於今日）
描述：A duan stone ink stone with dragon decoration，17th/18th century
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和雕刻風格，還利用石頭中特有的圓形內含物來描繪珍珠。請注意圓滑的外形和尺寸(24.5 厘米)。