Footnotes

Provenance: Rare Art Inc., New York, 15 April 1975

十八世紀 青玉雕御題詩人物圖插屏

來源: 於1975年4月15日購自紐約 Rare Art Inc.

The inscription reads:

御製觀書詩
勑幾雖少暇，得暇即觀書，印證政無舛，探尋道集虛，内脩勉充實，外誘自驅除，守典持衷固，聖功進步徐。臣趙秉沖敬書。

By Imperial Command, Poem on Reading Books.

Although the Imperial edicts are many, and there is little time for leisure, if one can obtain time for leisure, then read books! Studying ensures there will be no error in government. In searching for the mind, strive wholly for inner cultivation; and expel from oneself the lures of the outer. Abide by the Classics and stay true to one's inner feelings; thus the sagely accomplishments slowly advance.

Respectfully inscribed by your humble servant Zhao Bingchong (1757-1814)

Zhao Bingchong was a scholar from Shanghai famed for the quality of his calligraphy. The theme of calligraphy, one of the four scholarly accomplishments, is emphasised on this screen by both the depiction of the scholar holding up his brush and the Imperial poem on the reverse. In addition, it is likely that the inspiration for the design came from Court paintings or contemporary woodblock prints, reinforcing the theme of scholarly calligraphy. The jade thus makes playful reference to its function as an ornament for the scholar's desk and becomes a source of inspiration, whilst demanding strict adherence to the discipline of the scholarly life.

A related part composition showing a sage holding his hand up practising calligraphy on the face of a cliff, with an attendant holding an inkstone and another sage by his side, is carved on one of a pair of green jade screens depicting the 'nine aged men', Qing Dynasty, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated by Zheng Xinmiao, ed., Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, 8, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl.158 (lower panel). See also a jade screen carved with a scholar reading, in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, no.45.