Chinese silk painting ‘Ducks’, Yuan dynasty

Painted with ink and pigments on silk, on a frame also of brocaded silk and paper.

The work, executed in a small circular format, shows a small scene in which four ducks with brown plumage, executed in minute detail, stand out. Three of them are arranged among fine reeds, while the fourth takes flight with outstretched wings.  

In the upper area is a four-character signature ‘若水王淵’ and a small seal. Wang Yuan (13th-14th c.), also known as Ruoshui or Danxuan, was one of the most important artists of the Yuan dynasty, noted for his exquisite depiction of birds and flowers, which he executed with great detail and meticulousness, being imitated by future generations. Today, his works form part of the collections of major museums. The painting has two more seals in the lower part of the frame. 

On the left side of the frame is a descriptive cartouche, executed in ink on silk, which reads ‘元人，王若水，钱圹人。工于花鸟，人物。用笔精致绝倫，天机溢发后之钦佩’; next to it is the date ‘道光乙未仲春’, the location ‘蒙泉’ and a name ‘王养度’ who, it is presumed, was one of the previous owners of the work. 

In good condition, with age wear. Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368) or later.

Size: 28 x 28 cm; Size with frame: 50.5 x 38.4 cm

Provenance:

· He/Kwok Shing private collection to the present day. With label indicating ‘Senhor He, Janeiro, 1977, Lisbon’. 

Attached certificate of antiquity made on 12 July 1969.