We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Official seal

18th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    China
    Date
    18th century
    Media category
    Sculpture
    Materials used
    carved soapstone
    Dimensions
    15.3 x 11.5 x 11.5 cm
    Credit
    Gift of Mrs Joan Rogers 1990
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    129.1990
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    Inscribed on one side in ancient seal script is a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Zhang Ji (died 780) entitled "Anchored at night by maple bridge':

    'The moon sets, the crows caw, hoar frost is in the air,
    By the maples at the riverside twinkles the light of the fishermen's boats as I take my troubled rest.
    Outside the city of Soochow [Suzhou] stands the Han Shan Monastery
    And at midnight there comes to me in my boat the tolling of the temple bell'

    [Four characters of the original poem are missing in the inscription]

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, March 1990.

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    China

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 3 exhibitions

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication