A MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID LACQUERED PORCELAIN BRUSHPOT QING DYASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |

the straight cylindrical sides finely lacquered and inlaid with mother-of-pearl to depict a continuous riverscape, with a scholar and attendant on the shore approaching a outcrop overlooking a single sampan bobbing in the still waters, with mountains peaks rising in the distance, the interior and base glazed white save for a ring encircling the countersunk center

The rim has several small restored chips and the lacquer along the upper and lower edges has small flake losses and fine cracks which have been sprayed with consolidant (possibly concealing minor touch-ups). Some small pieces of mother-of-pearl have been lost.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This rare brushpot is one of the few known examples of porcelain embellished with black lacquer inlaid with tiny pieces of thin multi-colored abalone (haliotis) shell to build up detailed designs. Technically challenging, this technique was more commonly applied to wood and other organic materials. According to Sir Harry Garner in Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, p. 211, 'this shell had ideal qualities for pictorial decoration, but the small size and fragility of the pieces made it difficult to use the incised technique. ... small pieces of shell are massed together and some advantage taken of the variety of color to give a realistic effect that could never be achieved by incised designs'.  Compare a related brushpot decorated in the same technique, formerly in the Robert H. Blumenfield Collection, sold Christie's New York, 25th March 2010, lot 954. Other forms decorated in the same technique include a small jar in the Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, illustrated in M. Beurdeley and G. Raindre, Qing Porcelain: Famille Verte, Famille Rose, London, 1987, pl. 67; a rouleau vase illustrated in Denise Patry Leidy, Mother-of-Pearl. A Tradition in Asian Lacquer, New York, 2006, pl. 32; a larger rouleau vase sold in our Paris rooms, 11th June 2019, lot 8; and a baluster vase sold at Christie's London, 17th June 2003, lot 66.