Wu Wei Signature Ex–John Calvin Ferguson Collection Chinese Scholar

Described By: Adams ND Title: Attributed to Wu Wei (吳偉, 1459–1508), "Copying Sutras in Exchange for Geese" (換鵝圖) “Early winter of the jiyou year; viewed and inscribed by the Imperial Sixth Son.” Possible imperial connection: We suggest that might refer to Prince Yongrong, Qianlong’s sixth son, which would make 1789 a candidate date for the inscription. Both the identification and date remained provisional. Painting versus inscription: The painting is likely older than the writing mounted above it; we did not establish its actual age. DESCRIPTION & ICONOGRAPHY This exquisite, intimate album leaf format painting depicts the celebrated historical anecdote of the "Sage of Calligraphy," Wang Xizhi (王羲之), negotiating with a Daoist monk to exchange a hand-copied sacred text for a flock of pristine white geese. Executed in the dynamic, expressive ink tradition characteristic of the Ming Dynasty’s Zhe School (浙派), the scholar is shown seated beneath the ancient boughs of a sprawling pine tree, rendered with the forceful, confident brushstrokes for which the artist is famous.John C Ferguson Chinese Scholar Antique Wu Wei Chinese Watercolor Landscape Painting Scholar Landscape Signed Stamped Caligraphy. According to Ferguson book on Chinese pairings Wu Wei better known as Wu Hsiao-Hsien was a court favorite during the reigns of Cheng Hua and Hung Chih.. Wu Hsiao-Hsien Description: Title: Ex–John Calvin Ferguson Collection, Chinese Scholar Painting on Silk, Bearing Wu Wei Signature, with Possibly Imperial Colophon Description: An evocative Chinese ink painting on silk depicting a seated scholar beneath an spreading tree, with an attendant approaching from the right. Expressive brushwork defines the figures, rocks, and foliage against a softly toned silk ground. The painting bears a signature apparently reading Wu Wei, together with a red seal, and is mounted beneath a separate calligraphic panel on gold-flecked paper within an old patterned silk brocade surround. The upper inscription appears to discuss and praise Wu Ciweng, a name associated with the Ming painter Wu Wei. Its closing passage has been tentatively read as “Early winter of the jiyou year; viewed and inscribed by the Imperial Sixth Son,” suggesting a possible connection to Prince Yongrong, the Qianlong Emperor’s sixth son. If that reading and identification are correct, the cyclical date could correspond to 1789. This would relate to the inscription rather than necessarily dating the painting. The upper mounting panel features a substantial calligraphic appreciation dated to the winter of a Jiyou year (1849) and signed by the Sixth Imperial Son (皇六子), bearing imperial evaluation seals. The text praises the work as a "divine masterpiece of painting" (真畫中神品矣) and explicitly references the painter by his alternative style name, Wu Ci-weng (吳次翁), noting: "Wu Ci-weng’s figure painting has enough brush strength to lift a tripod cauldron, and his landscapes are vigorous, powerful, and deeply matured. He loves using a blunt brush, where the flavor lies far beyond the ink itself... a pocket-sized masterpiece of high antiquity."These readings offer intriguing avenues for further research. The attribution to Wu Wei, the possible imperial authorship of the colophon, and the precise dates of both elements remain unverified. Offered as an antique Chinese painting bearing a Wu Wei signature, without a definitive attribution to the artist.Title: Ex–John Calvin Ferguson Collection: Chinese Painting Exchanging Geese, Bearing Wu Wei Signature, with Possibly Imperial Inscription Description: A Chinese ink painting on silk depicting a seated scholar beneath a spreading tree, with an attendant approaching from the right, identified in the accompanying inscription as Exchanging Geese. Spare, expressive brushwork describes the figures, angular rocks, and overhanging foliage. The painting bears a signature apparently reading Wu Wei and a red seal, and is presented beneath a separate calligraphic panel on gold-flecked paper within an old patterned silk brocade mounting. The upper inscription praises Wu Ciweng, a name associated with the Ming painter Wu Wei, describing his figure painting as possessing tremendous brush strength and his landscapes as vigorous and ruggedly mature. It identifies the pictured work as an Exchanging Geese composition in the collection of “Xuejiao Garden,” admiring its economical brushwork and lofty, antique character. The inscription concludes with wording tentatively translated as “Early winter of the jiyou year; viewed and inscribed by the Imperial Sixth Son.” This suggests a possible connection to Prince Yongrong, the Qianlong Emperor’s sixth son. If that identification is correct, the cyclical date could correspond to 1789, referring to the inscription rather than necessarily to the painting. The painting’s attribution, the proposed imperial authorship of the inscription, and the dates of both elements remain unverified. Offered as an antique Chinese painting bearing a Wu Wei signature, with an accompanying inscription presenting that attribution. Provenance: Collection of John Calvin Ferguson, noted scholar and collector of Chinese art; by family descent to his great-granddaughter, the consignor. Painting dimensions: Approximately 8¾ × 5¾ inches. Overall mounted dimensions: Approximately 19 × 10½ inches. Presentation: Unframed; silk brocade mounting with separate upper calligraphic panel. Condition: Toning, scattered spotting, surface wear, and visible horizontal creasing or abrasion. Brocade mounting exhibits wear, fraying, and separation at the lower corner. Please refer to photographs for additional condition details. Provenance: Collection of John Calvin Ferguson, the noted scholar and collector of Chinese art; by family descent to his great-granddaughter, the consignor. Overall mounted dimensions: Approximately 19 × 10½ inches. Presentation: Unframed, with separate upper calligraphic panel and old silk brocade mounting. Condition: Toning, scattered spotting, surface wear, and visible horizontal creasing or abrasion to the painting. Mounting shows wear, fraying, and separation at the lower corner. Please examine photographs for further condition details. John C Ferguson Chinese Scholar Antique Wu Wei Chinese Watercolor Landscape Painting Scholar Landscape Signed Stamped Caligraphy s John C Ferguson helped form the Metropolitan Museum Collection See more Items in This Sale. Calligraphic upper panel 19 x 10.5x .1 inch over all object. Includes silk embroidered old matted mount, unframed. Signature: Yes Sight Dimensions: 19 x 10 in Frame Dimensions: 19 x 10 in Provenance: Rev. Dr. Ferguson Pd.D was one of the most important western figures in Chinese history from assisting the Met in forming their collection to having an exclusive street named after him in China. His heir retired to Florida and weare honored that they retaine us to offer a portion of his descended chinese art and antiques in this auction. Archival discovery to conserve. Accompanied by a photocopy of family ownership from great granddaughter. There are a lot of holes and tears to the original document. See photos for details. Shipping In-House: Available Shipping Box Size: 24 x 18 x 6 in Shipping Weight: 21 lb 0 oz Original: Yes Type of Print: Silk watercolor Medium: Watercolor Surface: Silk Additional Information Archival discovery to conserve. Note work inscription and seal at upper right. Our onlineresearch identifies this as Wu Wei sold as an attribution. This is accompanied by a letter of family ownership from the great grandaughter as stated in the provenance section. In old but generally sound estate discovery condition, laid down. Darkening, tightening and rubbing as illustrated. Silk matte with some edge discoloration and fraying. Unframed.

Estimate:$10,000

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