Pot à pinceaux en bambou sculpté et signé Shang Xun Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIIE/XIXE siècle

de forme cylindrique au pied légèrement évasé, le pourtour artistiquement sculpté d'une dame de cour assise à la fenêtre d'un pavillon adossé à un gros rocher face à une pagode, surplombant un paysage lacustre traversé d'un musicien sur une barque sous les nuages, signature à deux caractères Shang Xun

The brushpot is in very good overall condition with a superficial horizontal age crack above the pagoda.
"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 exquisitely carved brushpot is signed by the master bamboo carver Shang Xun, active during the Jiaqing (1796-1820) and Daoguang (1820-1850) periods. Shang Xun was renowned for his incredible skills in the liuqing or 'carving in positive relief' technique whereby a thin layer of the bamboo skin is retained and carved, thus creating varying depths of relief and a subtle three-dimensional effect in the unfolding design. Few bamboo veneer brushpots are known that bear the signature of  Shang Xun. Compare an example now in the collection of the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings in the Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, 2010, p. 45.