A RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL BAMBOO VENEER 'LOTUS' BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

of quatrefoil section, each curved facet carved in shallow relief with a shaped rectangular panel enclosing birds amidst a lotus pond, the rippled waters interrupted by curved stippled stems of broad leaves with furled edges, lotus flowers and pods, the rim and foot encircled by bands of keyfret, the surface of the bamboo veneer well patinated to a deep caramel tone

Good overall condition with just minor surface wear and some rubbing to the veneer.
"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."

Intricately rendered in the zhuhuang or bamboo veneer technique and deftly decorated with idyllic scenes of nature in shallow relief, the present brushpot is an exceptionally fine object destined for the scholar’s desk created with sophistication and utmost attention to detail.

The making of this brushpot involved the application of several thin panels, taken from the inner wall of the bamboo stem, over a wood core. These panels are then bound and held in place by the thick everted mouth and foot. The smoothly executed curving contours and proportionate symmetry of the vessel’s quatrefoil shape demonstrate the deft finish of the current brushpot.

Furthermore, meticulous attention has been paid to the decoration on this piece, seen in the well-planned composition of various panels depicting a lotus pond scene. The shallow-relief decoration, though seemingly monotonous at first sight, is cleverly incorporated with varying portrayals of water birds amongst. The carver’s dexterity and mastermind are also evidenced in the flowing lines and naturalistic rendering of the broad veined leaves and blooming lotus flowers in various orientations.

This brushpot bears testament to the mature development of bamboo carving at the height of the Qing dynasty. Objects of this type and executed to such sophistication are extremely rare, see a dated example of double lozenge shape depicting figural scenes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, exhibited in Objects for the Scholar’s Desk, Maria Kiang Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 2012, no. 7.