A BLUE AND WHITE BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

of cylindrical form with the deep straight sides rising from a slightly sunken base, the exterior finely painted with a kneeling scholar holding a zouzhe with both hands before a shrine adorned with two sinuous dragons on individual pillars, amongst an audience of civil and military officials along with gift-bearing attendants, all set within a nobleman's court surrounded by bamboo and craggy rockwork, the back painted with a column of auspicious clouds, the base centered with a butterfly in underglaze blue

This brushpot is in good condition with the exception of being slightly warped in the firing to one side, the rim has been polished, there is a ca. 3mm., flake to the inner edge of the footring and minor glaze firing imperfections including tiny blisters around the exterior.
"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 present brushpot is notable for its meticulously painted scene, which has been rendered with a combination of subtle underglaze blue washes and numerous short brushstrokes. This distinctive style of painting, most evident in the depiction of rocks and clouds, is found on a group of brushpots all of which also feature similar borders and an unglazed mouth rim. Three bushpots of this type, painted with different figurative scenes, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, are illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Ceramics, vol. 21, Shunzhi (1644-1661) and Kangxi (1662-1722) Periods of Qing Dynasty (I), Beijing, 2013, pls 179-181; one was sold in these rooms, 20th April 1971, lot 34; and two were sold at Christie’s New York, the first from the collection of T. Gordon Little, 30th March 2005, lot 359, and the second from the Robert H. Blumenfield collection, 22nd March 2012, lot 1279.