DENG ERYA (1883-1954) / YE GONGCHUO (1881-1968)
Calligraphy Collection
(1) DENG ERYA
Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Seal Script
A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on paper
Each scroll measures 130 x 29.5 cm. (51 ¹⁄₈ x 11 ⁵⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with three seals of the artist
Dedicated to Yingcai

(2) YE GONGCHUO
Calligraphy in Running Script
Hanging scroll, ink on gold-flecked paper
97.5 x 25.5 cm. (38 ³⁄₈ x 10 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated autumn, eighteenth year (of the Republic, 1929)
Dedicated to Qiu'an

Hu Ying Choi (1910-1990) and his wife Yeh Shiu Sheung (1912-1993) resided in Hong Kong and began their family there in the 1930s. Mr. Hu completed his studies in civil engineering, and together they immersed themselves – and their children – in the region’s vibrant artistic and scholarly community. Through dinner parties, family celebrations, and academic gatherings, they formed friendships with many prominent artists and intellectuals. Among their closest friends was Cheng Kinlo (1892-1980), whom the children affectionately called ‘Grand Uncle Cheng’. Their circle also included renowned artists such as Zhao Shao’ang and Xu Beihong, among others.