A BOXWOOD 'PINE TREE TRUNK' INCENSE HOLDER QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

the slender vertical body naturalistically carved in the form of a gnarled pine tree trunk with two subsidiary branches bearing clusters of pine needles, one issuing from the base before splitting on each side of the trunk, the other growing down from the lip, the base and lip with irregular concentric rings to indicate weathered growth-lines, the wood patinated to a variegated, deep golden-brown and dark brown colour

The design of this incense holder is after tree-trunk form vases and brushpots generally carved in bamboo that became popular in the late Ming dynasty and continued to be made in the Qing period. While boxwood carvings of this type are rare, it is a medium that was appreciated for its fine grain and rich tone of brown colouration.

See a closely related boxwood vase in the form of the trunk of an aged pine tree, similarly carved with gnarled roots and vigorously twisted branches issuing clusters of pine needles, from the collection of Mary and George Bloch, sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 25. For a related bamboo example, compare also a vase illustrated in Chinese Metalwares and Decorative Arts, vol. 2, Bath, 1993, pl. 335; and another published in Ip Yee and Laurence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Part 1, Hong Kong, 1978, col. pl. 7, together with an irregularly-shaped brushpot attributed to the 18th century and described as made of yuzhu (jade bamboo), pl. 113.