A WHITE JADE BRUSHPOT WITH SCHOLARS IN LANDSCAPE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of cylindrical form the exterior meticulously carved in relief with a continuous landscape of scholar seated in a pavilion admiring the mandarin ducks in the pond, while two attendants on the other bank hold floral sprigs, the reverse with an immortal and his attendant strolling in the mountains, the lustrous stone of an even creamy white tone with natural inclusions, wood stand

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30^th November 1980, lot 513.

Apart from some expected minute nicks and bruises, the overall condition is very good. A small section of the exterior edge beneath the playing boys has been slightly polished.
"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 decoration of the present brushpot follows in the tradition of Chinese painting, by treating the surface of the material as a scroll work. With each turn of the brushpot the scene unfolds in front of the viewer, making it an object that can be appreciated from different sides. The technique of working in multiple layers was utilised in the creation of this piece which heightens the sense of depth and the detailing is meticulously executed and refined. Moreover, the broad areas of rocks which have been left uncarved provide a striking aesthetic contrast with the intricately modelled trees and figures as well as exhibiting the high quality of the stone.

White jade brushpots similarly depicting figures in an enchanting mountainous setting include a slightly smaller example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the exhibition The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1997, cat. no. 60; another included in the exhibition A Romance of Jade from the De An Tang Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 2; and a larger brushpot in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, London, 2004, pl. 64. Compare also a related brushpot of slightly smaller dimensions, but supported on three ruyi feet, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 167.