The text is from the second version of Ode on a Red Cliff written by the famous Song dynasty poet, Su Shi (1036-1101), as indicated by the four-character title carved above the figures seated in a boat, Hou chi bi fu, 'Latter Ode on a Red Cliff'. Su wrote two 'Red Cliff' essays; both were inspired by his visits to the site located on the Yangzi River where a famous battle took place in 208 A.D., during the twilight era of the Han dynasty.

The first Ode discusses the shortness of life and the joys that could be had along the river; the second Ode as inscribed on the present lot, Su describes hiking along the rocks with friends, drifting along the river on a boat and permitting the current to take the boat's direction. 'The Latter Ode' was written in October 1082, during the poet's exile in Hubei where he wrote some of his best poetry.

The text on the present lot ends with a cyclical date, the seventh month of yi mao year but it is probable that this is later added by the artist whose hao is Cun Zhai from Yangzhou.

The base is taken from Confucius' Analects: zi zhong lu xin yi jin de, xiu ci li cheng yi ju ye, which can be translated as 'To be faithful and honest will improve one's virture; sincerity in speech will achieve successful living and profession'.

(US$24,000-28,000)