A BAMBOO ROOT INKREST

17-18TH CENTURY

LENGTH: 6.3CM

The rectangular top of the bamboo root is smoothed and carved with a four- character inscription, which reads, Yiqing yunshang 逸情雲上 ‘Transcend Worldly Feelings up in the Clouds’ [The source of the script is from the Hou Han shu 後漢書 (History of the Later Han), Yimin zhuan zan 逸民傳贊 (Eulogy appended to the Hermits Collective Biography)] and signed Wang Shigu 王石谷. The two seals to its left are Wang Hui zhi yin 王翬之印 ‘Seal of Wang Hui’ and Shigu yin 石谷印 ‘Seal of Shigu.’ The signature and seals identify the great 17th century painter, one of the “Four Wangs” of the early Qing dynasty, Wang Hui 王翬 (1632-1717), zi 字 (personal name) Shigu 石谷.

The underside reveals the roots of the bamboo naturalistically formed and bent into the supporting legs of the inkrest. The colour of the bamboo root is well patinated to a deep brown tone.

清十七-十八世紀 竹根墨床
《王石谷》款