Lot 1207. A famille rose table screen, Republic period (1912-1949), signed He Xuren (1882-1940); 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm.) high. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price realised USD 93,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The rectangular screen is raised on an integral faux gilt-decorated lacquer stand, and is decorated in grisaille on one side with a snowy winter scene of a fisherman in his sampan nestled amidst reeds, and on the reverse with a spring scene of a blossoming tree beside a lakeside pavilion. Each scene is beneath an inscription and is within a diaper-pattern border. 

Provenance: Fong Chow (1923-2012) Collection, New York.

Note: The inscription on each side describes the scene, and the inscription on the grisaille-decorated side is signed He Xuren.

He Xuren (1882-1940) was from the second generation of the literati school of porcelain painting, and was one of the 'The Eight Friends of Zhushan'. He was famous for both his snow scenes, and also as a miniaturist calligrapher.