清乾隆至嘉慶 剔紅文會圖筆筒

of slightly tapered cylindrical form, the exterior superbly carved in multiple levels of relief with a continuous scene of a scholarly gathering with one literatus already painting to the sounds of the qin as one friend watches and three more approach with their attendants, the garden setting with pine, bamboo, wutong trees, rocks, and pavilions amid a lake and mountain landscape, diaper and other incised patterns articulating each element, the interior and base lacquered in black

The base with some restoration to lacquer lifting and losses and an approx. 2.3 cm wide chip to the edge of the base. The mouth rim has been relacquered with some flaking. Three stable age cracks to the inner rim and some lacquer lifting to the interior base. The carving in overall good condition with some minor losses and minute nicks to the extremities. General wear to the surface, consistent with age.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Carved lacquer brushpots are rare and examples showing guests arriving for an elegant gathering are rarer still. More typically, these brush holders depict scholars already assembled and actively engaged in art appreciation and other leisure activities together.

An intricately carved lacquer brushpot on this theme from the Qing court collection, now in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Jiufang Li, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, pl. 42. Compare another in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, illustrated in James C. Y. Watt and Barbara Ford, East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991, cat. no. 44. Another example, but of carved polychrome lacquer, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2010, lot 2173. A similar example was sold in these rooms 15th/16th September 2015, Lot 238.