A RARE INSCRIBED BAMBOO 'SCHOLAR AND PINE' WRISTREST LATE MING, EARLY QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

finely carved as a scholar sitting on a rocky ground in a grotto beneath an overhanging tree issuing pine blossoms, the bottom of the ground fixed on a hinge to the base of the clip depicted in the form of a rocky boulder pierced with apertures resembling crevices, the reverse incised with an inscription reading hong zhuang wei jing you bai fa shi song peng in semi-cursive script, metaphorically translating to 'a mirror is a lady’s companion, a pine tree an elderly’s', followed by two seal marks, one of them reading ren zhai, the other indistinct, the bamboo patinated to a warm reddish-brown colour

Nagel, Stuttgart.

Overall good condition, with just insignificant age cracks to the surface. Bruising and surface wear to the extremities.
"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."

Another bamboo wrist rest of almost identical composition and similar high quality carving, depicting a scholar seated amidst rockwork, was sold in our London rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 234, and is now in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland example is signed Zhongqian, the sobriquet of the bamboo carved Pu Cheng, who was active in the early 17th century. It is illustrated by Wang Shiziang and Wan-go Weng, Bamboo Carving of China, China Institute in America, New York, 1983, cat. no. 4, where is conjectured that it could also act as a scroll clip. See also the example offered earlier in this sale, lot 3010.