A CARVED BLACK LACQUER 'PHOENIX' BRUSHPOT 17TH CENTURY

of cylindrical section, the sides supported on a flat base, finely carved through layers of black lacquer to the red ground below on the exterior with a striking design of two phoenix with outstretched wings flying amid beribboned auspicious objects, including ingots, stone chimes, double gourds and scrolls, the male distinguished from the female bird by his long serrated tail feathers, flying above a branch of peaches, the female with plain curling tail feathers wreathed in foliate sprays of chrysanthemum and camellias, all detailed with either a floral, cash or wan symbol-diaper ground, the feathers delineated with fine incisions, the red lower ground picked out with floral diapers, the interior and base left plain

There are a few small chips or light nibbles to the edges of the relief carving, including a 0.5 cm. section of lacquer missing at the tip-end of of one ribbon next to the female bird's head. There are a few light bruises and possibly minute relacquering in areas to the red ground. There is some typical crackles to the interior rim with also possibly some mild retouching to the brown lacquer, but overall the brushpot is in very good 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."

Lacquer brushpots are very rare, since even lacquer layers are difficult to apply to vertical shapes. Carved lacquer of this type, with low relief scenes depicted in black against a red diaper ground, belong to a group of large vessels created towards the end of the Ming dynasty. A long rectangular box depicting figures in a pavilion setting, is illustrated in Karamono. Selections from the Tokugawa Art Museum, no. 2, Nagoya, 1997, pl. 108; a meiping vase and cylindrical box, respectively decorated with panels of flowers and figures in a landscape, is published in Zhongguo qiqi quanji [Complete series on Chinese lacquer], vol. 5, Fuzhou, 1995, pls. 172 and 173; an octagonal box with figures in landscapes is included in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, pl. 379; and a scroll tray carved with insects and flowers, was sold at Christie’s New York, 29^th March 2006, lot 252.