Calligraphy after Su Shi

Details

XU SHICHANG (1855-1939)
Calligraphy after Su Shi
Signature and three seals of the artist, dated bingchen year (1916)
Colophon by Xu Yuan (1880-date of death unknown) dated bingzi year (1936) with one seal of the artist
Handscroll, ink on paper
11 ¼ x 201 1/8 in. (29.5 x 510.9 cm.)

Provenance

Gifted to the maternal grandmother of the present owner, thence by descent within the family.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Kate Hunt Director, Head of Department

khunt@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3389

Lot Essay

Xu Shichang was born in Anhui province, into a family originally from Tianjin. Xu served as President of the Republic of China from 10 October 1918 until 2 June 1922, having previously held senior offical posts at the end of the Qing dynasty. His calligraphy followed a model established by eleventh century scholar aesthete Su Shi (1037-1101), with minor variations. Xu cites Su as the explicit model for this work. Xu was also a skilled landscape painter and capable poet.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All