A CARVED BAMBOO 'PRUNUS' BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of twisted form with oval section from a bamboo root, the sides carved in high relief and undercut to simulate a section of a gnarled prunus tree trunk with whorls and branches of prunus flowers wrapped around the trunk, the bamboo of yellowish-brown with a smooth patina

Works of Decorative Arts I. Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series,  p. 95, no. 69.

The overall condition is very good with very few age cracks and an attractive patina. The actual size is about 15% smaller than the catalogue illustration. The actual size is about 15% smaller than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

It is rare to find carvings of prunus trunks, however, two small water-vessels with a similar design are illustrated in Laurence C. S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Part I, Hong Kong, 1978, p. 258, pl. 63 and p. 260, pl. 12; and a wrist-rest fashioned with the same subject matter and signed by the late-Ming artist Zhu Sansong is included ibid., p. 151, pl. 12. More common are works in the form of pine trunks; for example see an irregularly shaped brushpot of similar small size published ibid., p. 360, pl. 113, attributed to the 18^th century, with the material described as yuzhu (jade bamboo) appreciated for its very fine texture.