Qing Dynasty Master Painter Zhèng Xiè (1693—1765) "Handbook of Bamboo" Album

Description

Ancient Civilizations
Antiques, Artifacts & Fine Collectibles
Qing Dynasty Hand Book of Bamboo
Master Painter Zhèng Xiè
1693—1765
"Firmly cleave to the mountain, take root in a fractured bluff; grow stronger after tribulations, and withstand gales from all directions."
—
Zheng Xie (1693–1765), commonly known as Zheng Banqiao,
Compares Life’s Journey with Bamboo
Of all the painters in Chinese long history, Zheng Xie, who is commonly known as Zheng Banqiao (1693-1765) of the Qing Dynasty is believed to have been the best at painting bamboo.
His black ink paintings of bamboo on either scroll or in book form are considered some of the most sort after works of art in the world.
This book measures approximately 9 cm x 28 cm x 2 cm (3.25” x 11” x .80”) closed and consists of 12 folding panels that are held in place by silk-covered front and back silk covered panels.
Fully open, the accordion style book measures 237 cm (93” or 7’ 9” long).
The front cover contains the title and author’s name in six characters, while the back cover is plain silk with no characters.
Zheng signed his work on the last panel in ink and with his red seal.
CONDITION
The laid paper is period correct and shows some proper minor wear and dark toning for a painting on paper that is about 300 years old.
The backing or back side of the painting shows some foxing and the first folds show some old, water stains, but the stains are minor and could be restored by an expert conservator is so desired by the new owner.
Please see the attached macro photos and bid accordingly.
Inside the back cover, the first fold has beautiful, tiny, gold flecks on the back of the end piece.
As you tilt the page, the gold flecks appear to come to life.
It is difficult to get the affect in a single photo, but I hope you can see the tiny flecks of gold in photo # 10.
The silk end-boards appear to have been professionally rebound many years ago.
It is common for this to happen every hundred years or so to protect the valuable painting and the silk end boards have a beautiful gold and blue coloration.
DETAILS
This ink on paper painting by Zheng depicts four different views of groves of bamboo growing in gardens and on mountainsides. The shallow pictorial space is defined by the placement of the stalks, which jut into view from the bottom of the composition, climb up the paper as if ascending a slope, and extend well beyond the top of the picture.
Each page that is opened reveals a journey to different groves of bamboo. The mood is further defined by the dramatic use of graded ink washes-from jet black to pale gray-that suggest the veiling effects of a dense mist in early morning.
The mountains are also defined with pale-gray, angular brush strokes.
The artist inscribed the painting on lower left, with his signature and red seal (chop).
Over the 50 years he painted, Zheng used a large number of different seals, often called “chops” in China to sign his works.
This seal is composed of six, characters.
Brief Overview of Zheng Xie’s Life
Zheng Xie (simplified Chinese:
郑燮
; traditional Chinese:
鄭燮
; pinyin:
Zhèng Xiè
) (1693–1765), commonly known as Zheng Banqiao (simplified Chinese:
郑板桥
; traditional Chinese:
鄭板橋
; pinyin:
Zhèng Bǎnqiáo
) was a renown Chinese painter from Jiangsu during the famous Qing Dynasty.
He began life in poverty, but rose in the exam system to become a magistrate at Shandong. However, after 12 years, he became critical of the life of an official as he refused to ingratiate himself with senior officials. When he was reportedly criticized for building a shelter for the poor, he resigned. After that, he expressed himself in art and became one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. He was noted for his drawing of orchids, bamboo, and stones. In 1748, he briefly resumed an official career as "official calligrapher and painter" for the Qianlong emperor.
He was also a calligrapher who created a new calligraphy style influenced by his orchid drawings. Added to this, he had an interest in literature and poetry. He preferred to write about ordinary people in a natural style and his poems are incredible.
ESTIMATED AUCTION VALUE & SAVINGS
This Zheng Xie bamboo painting has an appraisal estimate of US 5,000--0,000.
It will come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from Ancient Civilizations.
Purchase this RARE  album painted by one of the great
Qing Dynasty
master painters for your personal collection or for resale!
But please, only buy your antiquities from qualified dealers who offer a return policy.
And returns are something that not even the finest auction houses in the world offer its customers.
Please examine the photos taken indoors carefully, as they are part of the description.
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