Lot 552: ZHANG JIZHI (1186-1266)

HUAYAN (BUDDHA AVATAMSAKA) SUTRA IN STANDARD SCRIPT CALLIGRAPHY Album of fifty-two double leaves, ink on paper Each leaf measures 34.4 x 14.4 cm. (13 1/2 x 5 5/8 in.) First leaf and last leaf both entitled: Dafang Guangfu Huayanjing juan (Huayan sutra), di liushiwu (number sixty-five). Twenty collectors' seals, including: Ke Jiusi (1312-1365): Ke Jiu Si; Qianlong Emperor (reigned 1736-1795): Shen Pin, Qian Long Yu Lan Zhi Bao, Tian Fu Zhen Cang, Le Shou Tang Jian Cang Bao, Tai Shang Huang Di, Qian Long Yu Shang Zhi Bao, San Xi Tang, Qian Long Jian Shang, San Xi Tang Jing Jian Xi, Qian Long Yu Wan, Shi Qu Bao Ji, Yi Zi Sun, Nei Fu Tu Shu; He Yuanyu (19th century): Zeng Cang He Sui An Chu, He Yuan Yu Yin; Yuanyan Jingxian (19th century): Xiao Ru An Mi Ji; Wang Ding (1768-1844): Wang Ding Zhi Yin; and Ye Gongchuo (1880-1968?): Gong Chuo Chang Shou, Xia An Mi Ji, Gong Chuo (astride the fourth double leave) Inscriptions on frontispiece by each of: Wang Ding, dated fifty-eighth year of the Qianlong era (1793) on viewing this album; and Mian Yi (18th-19th century), dated renshen year of the Jiaqing era (1812) on viewing this album, with one seal Four collectors' seals on the frontispiece, including: Ye Gongchuo: Xia An Ming Xin Zhi Pin, Pan Yu Ye Shi Suo Cang; and Shu Zhai Xin Shang, Yang Colophons at the end of the album by each of: Wang Shimao (1536-1588), dated tenth month, dinghai year of the Wanli era (1587), signed with two seals; Yao Shiyu (1695-1749), dated ninth month, dingsi year of the Qianlong era (1737), signed with one seal Chong En (19th century), signed with four seals Four collectors' seals at the end of the album, including: Wu'er Gong'e (?-1842): Zheng Qin Wang; Ye Gongchuo: Ye Gong Chuo Yin, Xia An Shen Ding; and Hui Yuan Titleslip by Chong En, with two seals LITERATURE NOTES ESTIMATE ON REQUEST Note: 1. Wang Shimao passed the jinshi examinations in the thirty-eight year of the Jiajing era (1559). He was particularly well-versed in the classics, and calligraphy was his passion. For brief biography, see Zhongguo Meishujia Renming Cidian, ibid., p.66. 2. Yao Shiyu, sobriquet names Yucai and Yitian, was a native of Zhejiang. He was an official in the Qing court. He specialises in the classics and history. For brief biography, see Zhongguo Lidai Renming Dacidian, Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 1999, p.1805. 3. Wu'er gong'e, a Manchu of the imperial yellow-inlaid bannered clan, was bestowed with the title Prince Zheng. He passed the official examinations in the eighteenth year of the Jiaqing era (1813). For brief biography, see Zhongguo Lidai Renming Dacidian, ibid., p.295. 4. Wang Ding, sobriquet name Shengya, was a navite of Shaanxi. He passed the official jinshi examinations in the first year of the Jiaqing era (1796), and was promoted to Grand Secretary in the seventeenth year of the Daoguang era (1837). Wang was adept both in painting and calligraphy. For brief biography, see Zhongguo Meishujia Reming Cidian, ibid., p.118. 5. Mian Yi was bestowed with the title, Prince Rongge. He was the son of Prince Rongchun, Yong Qi. He was a very good calligrapher, and highly respected. For brief biography, see Zhongguo Meishujia Renming Cidian, Shanghai Renmin Meishu Chubanshe, 1981, p.1261. 6. Chong En, a Manchu of the imperial blue bannered clan, is known by his many sobriquet names, including Yangzhi, Yuling, or Xiangnan Jushi amongst others. He was the son of Shu Min, famed painter and calligrapher. Chong En was himself a painter and calligrapher, but more importantly, he was an avid collector of fine calligraphy and rubbings. For brief biography, see Zhongguo Meishujia Renming Cidian, ibid., p.795 Chong En's colophon and titleslip records that this album was in the Qianlong emperor's collection, and recorded in the Shiqu Baoji. It was subsequently made an imperial gift to Prince Zheng, Wu'er Gong'e. In the winter of the bingwu year (1846), it was purchased by Secretary Yin from a village market, who sold it to Chong En in the wushen year (1848). Wu'er gong'e was the general guarding Dinghai but lost to the British invasion. As a result, he was sacked from his official post. It was probably after Wu'er Gong'e's fall from grace and dismissal, when this album came into public circulation. 7. Yuanyan Jingxian, a Qing Manchu of the yellow-inlaid banner clan, was the son of Hua Yu and grandson of Yingpu. He was an avid collector and connoisseur of books, paintings and calligraphy. For brief biography, see Zhongguo Meishujia Renming Cidian, Shanghai Renmin Meishu Chubanshe, 1981, p.321.