A RARE CARVED WHITE BISCUIT PORCELAIN 'HORSE' BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, 18TH – 19TH CENTURY |

of cylindrical form, the exterior skilfully carved with a continuous scene depicting five groomsmen and eight horses in a setting arbored with pine trees and a river, two groomsmen rendered knee-deep in the river with rippling waters and arduously pulling the reins of two horses, all below a band of pin-prick marks along the rim to imitate bamboo, wood stand

Collection of Y.C. Chen (1922-2012).

The brushpot is in good overall condition with just typical firing imperfections, expected surface wear and insignificant losses to the edges of the fragile carving.
"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."

This finely carved brushpot appears to be by one of the ceramic artists active at Jingdezhen during the early 19th century, including Chen Guozhi, Wang Bingying and Li Yucheng. Another carved brushpot of identical size and design, signed Liang, originally in the Kaynes-Klitz collection, was sold at Bonhams London, 16th May 2019, lot 34. The designs appear to derive from contemporary woodblock prints.  Other examples include a white-glazed biscuit brushpot by Chen Guozhi depicting figures and water-buffalo in landscape, illustrated in Escape from the Dusty World: Chinese Paintings and Literati Works of Art, London, 1999, cat. no. 95 and a light turquoise-glazed example, illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 340.