A FINE CARVED BAMBOO 'LANDSCAPE' BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of slightly elliptical form, carved in shallow and high relief and open work depicting a continuous scene of scholars walking beside retreats in a mountainous landscape, the scene framed by pine trees and rocky outcrops, with applied wood rim and carved wood stand

Acquired in Paris, 1950.

With the exception of the loss of the original base which has been replaced by a wood stand, a fitted wood rim, several short hairline age-cracks encircling the rim, foot and body (longest circa 1cm), loss to the extremities of the carving, including a post of a pavilion, a horizontal bracket of a post, and the tip of a branch, a repaired break to a small section of rockwork, and minute nibbles to the edge of the rim, the brushpot is in good overall condition.
"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 in high relief, the present brushpot is a fine example of bamboo carvings of the early 18th century when the modelling and execution of the design was meticulously planned and completed. For examples of bamboo brushpots carved in high relief see one, from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee, illustrated in Ip Yee and Laurence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Hong Kong, 1978, pl. 73; and another vessel carved with a landscape scene in relief, from the collection of Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, included ibid., pl. 77, similarly attributed to the 18th century.

The addition of the openwork technique to high relief carving makes the present vessel special. This technique was rarely used on brushpots and is more commonly found on smaller pieces such as perfume holders of the 18th century. However, compare a brushpot carved in openwork with scholars listening to the lute under the pine tree, published ibid., p. 285, pl. 75, from the Ip Yee collection, where it is mentioned that the style of carving was present throughout most of the 18th century. For examples of perfume holders decorated in openwork see several included ibid., pls. 85-95.