清十七世紀 竹雕鏤空秀石人物圖臂擱 周乃始製 《墨山》款 「周」印

of irregular form, skilfully carved  in shallow relief and openwork, with a bearded scholar in loosely-fitting robes, his hair tied in bun on the back of his head and one bare foot peeking out from beneath his garment, leaning against a natural rock table with a brush, inkstone and unrolled painting laid out before him, gazing up at a swallow diving in front of a tall perforated rock, signed two characters in engraved seal script Moshan, followed by one oval seal reading Zhou, the well-patinated bamboo of a golden brown tone

香港佳士得1993年3月22日，編號547

The wristrest is overall in very good condition with only expected mild wear to the edges and a few light surface scratches on the underside. The actual colour is more brown, less orange, compared to the catalogue photo.
"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 wristrest bears the signature of Zhou Naishi, zi Wanzhou and Youwen, and hao Moshan, who was a native of Jiading, Jiangsu province. Active in the Shunzhi and Kangxi periods, Zhou was especially skilled in painting and calligraphy as well as bamboo carving in the style of the famous Zhu family of the Jiading School. He was fond of carving landscapes, flowers, banana trees and bamboo groves. For further information on Zhou see Ip Yee and Laurence C. S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Hong Kong, 1978 and 1982, part 2, pp. 58-59.

This wristrest is unusual for its irregular form, as more common are those of rectangular and curved shape upon which decoration is carved, either in relief or by engraving a ‘painting’ onto the bamboo surface. Another irregular, but unsigned wristrest of similar design, also with a man looking up at a swallow flying past a rock is illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Writing Materials in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 44. Compare also a small bamboo carving of a sage seated on rocks beneath a gnarled pine tree, the carver skilfully adapting his design to a similar irregular bamboo form as seen on this example, sold in our London rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 234.