- 3616
A FINE AND RARE FAMILLE-ROSE 'DRAGON' BRUSH SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |
Estimate
1,200,000 - 1,800,000 HKD
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Description
- handle 17.1 cm, 6 3/4 in.
the bulbous body with a long cylindrical handle surmounted with a globular finial, brightly painted with a ferocious iron-red dragon, his facial features, scales and flowing mane picked out in gilding, the beast writhing amidst multi-coloured scrolling lingzhi-shaped clouds against a milky-white ground, the tip of the terminal with an iron-red six-character seal mark
Provenance
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25th April 2004, lot 64.
Condition
Overall very good condition with minor glaze wear above the unglazed rim. The overglazed decoration are well preserved with occasional tiny enamel flakes.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
A very similar brush in the Shanghai Museum is illustrated in Zhongguo taoci quanji [Complete series on Chinese ceramics], vol. 15, Shanghai, 2000, pl.51. This brush ranks among the finest produced in Jingdezhen for the court during the reign of Qianlong. Porcelain brush handles were rare as opposed to brush handles made out of jade, bamboo, wood or cloisonne. Compare another Qianlong porcelain famille-rose brush in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, which is similar in size, but decorated with the 'Eight Precious Emblems' and with a faux-bois tip, illustrated in Bunbo Jyuei, Dohbohsha, Kyoto, 1992, cat. no. 72.
Brush handles were made out of porcelain for the court since the early 15th century. The form of the present brush, with its bulbous mouth, seems to originate in late Ming dynasty brush handles, compare two brushes in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, one blue and white porcelain, the other inlaid lacquer, illustrated in Bunbo Jyuei, op. cit., 1992, cat. nos 69 and 70. See also a wucai brush handle illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. II, London, 1995, pl. 708, and sold in these rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 38.
Brush handles were made out of porcelain for the court since the early 15th century. The form of the present brush, with its bulbous mouth, seems to originate in late Ming dynasty brush handles, compare two brushes in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, one blue and white porcelain, the other inlaid lacquer, illustrated in Bunbo Jyuei, op. cit., 1992, cat. nos 69 and 70. See also a wucai brush handle illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. II, London, 1995, pl. 708, and sold in these rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 38.