A CARVED BAMBOO 'CRANE AND PINE' BRUSHPOT 17TH CENTURY

of tubular form, the brushpot carved to depict a hollowed-out tree trunk covered in burls and decorated with gnarled branches extending across the exterior, the branches issuing clusters of meticulously picked out pine needles, depicted with two cranes standing beneath a tree, their long beaks and fine plumage all naturalistically rendered, the patina of a warm honey-brown colour

Hugh Moss, 1970s.

In overall good condition.There are some typical age cracks and occasional chips especially to the extremities, including a few polished chips to the reticulated branches, as well as another tiny refilled crack to the neck of one crane.
"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 vibrant high relief carving and naturalistic modelling of the pine branches wrapped around the trunk follows the Ming tradition of bamboo carving developed by the ‘Three Zhus’, the most renowned family of bamboo carvers active from the 16th century. Spanning three generations of master carvers, this family is credited with the establishment of Jiading as the centre of bamboo carving in China. See a brushpot carved with this motif and signed Zhu He, in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, illustrated in Hai Bo, Zhu mu ya jiao zhenshang [Appreciation of bamboo, wood, ivory and horn], Tainan, 1995, pl. 30.

Compare two brushpots carved with a similar design from the Bei Shan Tang collection, illustrated in Ip Yee and Laurence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1978, pls. 8 and 9, together with another, vol. 2, pl. 4. See also a brushpot of this type but lacking the crane, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pl. 2.