AN EXQUISITELY CARVED CELADON JADE BRUSHWASHER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

superbly and naturalistically carved in the form of a hollowed prunus-tree trunk, the surface skilfully undercut in various levels of relief with swirling wood knots and textured bark, exuberantly adorned on the exterior with intricate gnarled flowering prunus branches in openwork, crawling over the rim and extended to the top of the vessel, carved through the caramel-russet skin on the wider end with further luxuriant branches issuing prunus flowers, the stone of an even pale celadon tone polished to a soft lustre, marked with creamy-white inclusions, wood stand

T.Y. King & Co., Hong Kong, 1965.
Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1965 (£388:15).
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1965 (£600).

The washer is in overall very good condition except for a small chip to the end of the prunus branch on the top right and a small flake on the edge of the tree knot to the right of the prunus branch.
"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."

Exquisitely carved with a matrix of blossoming prunus branches in the round extending from a bowl in the form of a gnarled piece of wood, this brushwasher is remarkable for both the fine-quality stone and craftsmanship. Its impressive large size has been cleverly achieved by composing the overall vessel according to the natural shape of the boulder, as evidenced by the outermost blooms which have been carved in the russet layer directly below the skin of the jade. Tailoring the design to the shape of the stone also ensured minimal wastage of the precious material, while its flaws have been carved away or hidden through decorative details to highlight the good quality areas which have been left largely plain.

By carving the jagged prunus branches in the round, the craftsman has created a visually striking and tactile vessel for the scholar’s studio. Respect for and taking inspiration from the natural world are fundamental attitudes in Confucianism, and this vessel would have provided not only the functional use as a brushwasher, but would also have been a source of reflection and meditation beyond the restrictive walls of officialdom.

In its subtle double-gourd form and decoration this brushwasher may have been inspired by rhinoceros-horn raft cups, created from the late Ming-period. Raft cups were often carved to resemble a hollowed segment of a gnarled tree trunk, pierced and carved with naturalistic knots and twisting boughs issuing from the sides. These vessels were created in raft form to maximise the large size and overall quality of the horn, akin to the present piece. Compare a raft cup, from the collection of Kenyon V. Painter, and illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 1999, sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2009, lot 8.

Compare a white jade washer of smaller size, but similarly carved in openwork with a bird perched on twisting, flowering branches and the irregular-shaped bowl also carved in the form of a tree trunk, sold at Christie’s New York, 10th December 1987, lot 79, and twice in their Hong Kong rooms, 28th November 2006, lot 1377, and again 30th May 2012, lot 4269, from the collection of Alan and Simone Hartman.