A 'PLANTAIN LEAF AND SPIDERS' FORM INKSTONE Qing Dynasty (3)

A 'PLANTAIN LEAF AND SPIDERS' FORM INKSTONE Qing Dynasty Modelled in the form of a leaf with raised edges, finely decorated with three spiders in relief, one of which weaving its web, contained within a leaf-shaped wood box and cover. The inkstone: 8.8cm (3 1/2in); the box: 10.5cm (4 1/8in). (3). Footnotes: 清 葉形端硯 Provenance: Dr Walter Rieder (1890-1986) Dr. Walter Rieder (1890-1986) served in the Swiss East Asia Mission (SOAM) in Qingdao, Shandong Province, between October 1930 and December 1951. The mission specialised in educational, literary and philanthropic work and Dr. Rieder was in fact, not a theologian or missionary, but a teacher of mathematics, physics and science to high school students attached to the SOAM. His guiding principles were 'Creating understanding between different cultures' and 'Building bridges between East and West'. While in Qingdao, Dr. Rieder collected a wide variety of Chinese art. The objects in his collection thus offer a unique window into the type of antiques that were on the market in Qingdao in the second quarter of the 20th century. As well as demonstrating his passion for Chinese art, his collection also reveals the personal friendships Dr. Rieder forged with local artists, some of whom he knew from his teaching activities. Dr Rieder had a scholarly approach to studying his collection. Alongside many of his objects, meticulous notes can sometimes be found detailing his art historical commentaries. The collection was hence Dr. Rieder's gateway to the history and culture of China. Objects from the collection were exhibited at the Kunsthaus in Interlaken, Switzerland in 2006 and 2018. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing