A CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'FIGURAL' BRUSH MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the slender tubular handle deeply carved and reticulated with a man carrying a flag and a boy, both pointing up at the sky at the Budai seated amidst clouds depicted on the brush cap, the figures on the handle surrounded by peonies and rising vapors, the scene framed by upright lappets at one end and a key-fret band at the brush end, the pot-bellied deity seen with his large cloth bag and holding a rhinoceros horn, framed by further lappets and key-fret, both end carved with a small floret, fitted with black and white animal hair

The overall condition is very good.
"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."

Ming dynasty lacquer brushes of reticulated form are extremely rare.  For a non-reticulated example see one, finely carved with the decoration of Daoist figures in landscape, characteristic of the Ming period, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in East Asian Lacquer, New York, 1992, pl. 30; and four further brushes, all attributed to the Ming period, included in exhibition Karamono. Imported Lacquerwork – Chinese, Korean and Ryukyuan (Okinawa), Tokugawa Art Museum, Tokyo, 1997, cat. nos.70-73, carved with a variety of designs. Two related examples carved with figural scenes, also of the Ming dynasty, are illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. The Four Treasures of the Study – Inksticks and Writing Brushes, Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 121.

Two brushes were included in the exhibition Ming Lacquer, Bluett and Sons, London, 1960, cat. nos. 20 and 21; and another carved with figures in landscape was included in the exhibition 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1993, cat. no. 52.

Compare also a cinnabar lacquer brush, fashioned with figures of Daoist immortals, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26^th April 2004, lot 1108; and another, depicting sages in a landscape setting, sold in our London rooms, 13^th December 1977, lot 272.