A FINELY CARVED BOXWOOD 'PRUNUS' BRUSHPOT WITH AN INSCRIPTION 17TH CENTURY

naturalistically carved in relief as a section of a gnarled tree trunk, with a branch of blossoming prunus emerging from one side, the five-petal flowers accentuated by the well-defined stamens, the opposite side incised with a poem in running script, signed Shen Tang ti ('Inscribed by Shen Tang'), followed by the seal reading ban cai, the wood with an attractive golden-brown patina

Acquired in Paris between the 1970s and the early 90s.

There are a couple of chips to the petals of one blooming prunus flower (max. 1.5 cm). One extremity of the branch also has a small nick. There are some typical age cracks, including one from the mouth (at the top of the prunus branch) which has been stabilised by glue. The surface with an attractive patina of a golden-brown tone has some old stains.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The poem reads:
Liqi gugan, bu ran chenhuan;
yong shu shu dian, ban wo qingxian

Compare another boxwood (huangyangmu) brushpot in the form of an old prunus stump, illustrated  Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts of the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 98, cat. no. 59 and reproduced on the cover. See also a small boxwood brushpot in the shape of a blossoming prunus illustrated in Paul Moss, Documentary Chinese Works of Art In Scholar's Taste, London, 1983, cat. no. 72.