A CINNABAR LACQUER BRUSH WITH LANDSCAPE MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the slender handle finely carved with a continuous landscape of pavilions and figures dwarfed by lofty pines, waterfalls and mountains, set between upright lappets at the flat end and a key-fret band at the brush end, the landscape continued on the cylindrical cap, the tip of the cap carved with a small floret, fitted with black and white animal fur

There is a restored break near the brush end of the handle but otherwise the condition is good.
"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."

See four finely carved cinnabar lacquer brushes of the Ming dynasty included in exhibition Karamono. Imported Lacquerwork – Chinese, Korean and Ryukyuan (Okinawa), Tokugawa Art Museum, Tokyo, 1997, cat. nos. 70-73; and further two examples fashioned with figural scenes illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. The Four Treasures of the Study – Inksticks and Writing Brushes, Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 121.

Two related brushes were included in the exhibition Ming Lacquer, Bluett and Sons, London, 1960, cat. nos. 20 and 21; and another carved with figures in landscape was included in the exhibition 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1993, cat. no. 52. Compare also a cinnabar lacquer brush, fashioned with figures of Daoist immortals, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26^th April 2004, lot 1108; and another, depicting sages in a landscape setting, sold in our London rooms, 13^th December 1977, lot 272.