A FINELY CARVED AND RARE CINNABAR LACQUER BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of squared section with slightly chamfered corners, delicately carved with fine sharp strokes in various levels of relief to expose the three layers of lacquer with a lively continuous lake-shore landscape, each side with its own pair of figures divided by large decorative rocks and pines, one scene of a pair of young boys carrying a large basket of lingzhi and foliage, one with an acolyte looking backwards towards a man with a large sprig of peach slung over his shoulder, one with a scholar conversing with a servant boy also carrying a basket of lingzhi, and the last with two seated scholars in discussion, each scene by a body of water carved into the light fern-green lacquer with a water diaper and beneath a dark olive-green sky beyond the rolling hilltops, the interior and base lacquered black

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 31st October 2004, lot 200.

This brushpot is in good condition for its age and type although it seems as though the rim and base may have been slightly touched up as the carving of the diaper slightly different. Nevertheless, aside from the extremities of the brushpot, the carving is extremely crisp and well preserved for its age. There is expected surface wear to the base and interior of the brushpot.
"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."

Carved lacquer brushpots are very rare and it is particularly unusual to find one of this square form, although a square brushpot with chamfered corners and a hexagonal brushpot, both of carved lacquer, are in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Gugong Bowuyuan cang diao qi, Beijing, 1985, pls.295 and 342.

Like Ming dynasty lacquers, Qing dynasty lacquer wares were highly esteemed by the emperors, and through the support of the court, experienced a surge of prolific production and innovation during the Qianlong period. One of Qianlong's particularly favored carvers was a Suzhou artist by the name of Feng Shiqi who was known for his strong and detailed bamboo carvings. Although a specialist in a different material, the Qianlong Emperor had on more than one occasion commissioned him to carve lacquer and this brushpot is reminiscent of his carving style.