Lot 2894. An inscribed ‘Orchid and bamboo’ chengni ink stone, Qing dynasty (1644-1911); 10 ½ in. (26.6 cm.) long. Estimate HKD 100,000 - HKD 150,000. Price realised HKD 125,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020. 

The irregularly shaped ink stone is carved as a cliff wall with orchids and stalks of bamboo emerging from the top, above a poetic inscription signed Zongyang.

Note: Zongyang was the pseudonym of Li Shan (1686-1762), who was a Qing-dynasty scholar and painter born in Jiangsu. He was awarded the juren title in 1711, and had served as a court painter during various stages of his life. He eventually relocated to Yangzhou where he sold paintings for a living and became known as one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou.