A FINELY CARVED 'SEVEN SAGES' BAMBOO BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH CENTURY

the exterior finely carved in high relief with the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' engaged in leisurely pursuit in the countryside attended by their acolytes, all within a rocky mountain valley filled with lush pine, paulownia, and bamboo trees and below swirling clouds, the bamboo of a honey-brown tone, with fitted hardwood rim and base with four short feet

The piece is generally in very good condition overall, with little expected wear. To the hardwood mount at the rim, there is a small old crack of approx 1.7 by 0.1cm that has been filled in.
"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 brushpot is especially fine for its deep and detailed naturalistic carving of the much favoured subject matter of the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove'. Related examples of bamboo brushpots depicting this group of scholars can be found in Masterpieces of Chinese Writing Materials in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 25; and one in the collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, included in Ip Yee and Laurence Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Part 1, Hong Kong, 1978, pl. 70. Compare also a brushpot published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pl. 55; and another from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee sold in these rooms, 22nd November 1984, lot 858.

This brushpot is comparable with the finely carved bamboo brushpot, from the Mary and George Bloch collection and included in the exhibition The Chinese Scholar's Desk, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1979, cat.no. 11, sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 8. The Mary and George Bloch brushpot bears the signature seal Yuan guan (Official Yuan) indicating that the brushpot was made for presentation to the Emperor. 

The 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' were scholars and officials of the 3rd century A.D. who regularly met in a bamboo grove to drink wine, discuss arts and literature and enjoy unspoiled nature. By rejecting an official career they came to represent a social movement that advocated individual freedom, self-expression and the Daoist ideology of harmony with nature.