AN 'ODE TO THE RED CLIFF' BAMBOO BRUSHPOT, SIGNED YILIN WANG YUN QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY, DATED TO THE GUISI YEAR (1713 OR 1773)

carved with a cylindrical body resting on three short feet, the exterior decorated in low relief with a continuous scene depicting three scholars seated around a table on a boat amidst jagged cliffs and large overhanging pine and wutong trees, incised with the entirety of the text of the Chibi fu (Rhapsody on the Red Cliff) by Su Shi (Dongpo, 1037–1101), followed by guisi qiu qiyue ('Autumn of the year guisi, seventh month') and terminating with yilin wang yun shu bing juan ('Calligraphy and Engraving by Yilin Wang Yun') 

The overall condition is very good, with the exception of some typical age cracks, old stains, surface wear and minor dents.
"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."

Elegantly carved with the celebrated scholar-official Su Shi (1032-1101) making an excursion to the Red Cliff, the carver of this piece has skilfully achieved a sense of naturalism through the depiction of the gently flowing water and the facial features of Su and his friends who are shown gazing at the landscape. It is inscribed with Su Shi's Chibi fu (Rhapsody on the Red Cliff) and dated to the seventh month of the guisi year (in accordance with 1713 or 1773). The line following the Chibi fu may be translated, 'Written and engraved by Yilin Wang Yun'. The signing carver, Yilin Wang Yun which would have been active during the 18th century remains yet to be identified. Wang Yun could also refer to the celebrated Liang dynasty scholar and Prime Minister Wang Yun (481-549) whose calligraphy was admired and widely emulated while the meaning of Yilin, being either an artist's sobriquet or a place, remains open to interpretations.

Brushpots carved with scenes from the Ode to the Red Cliff include one in the Hong Kong Museum of Art, included in the Museum's exhibition Chinese Bamboo Carving, Hong Kong, 1978, cat. no. 52; one in the Simon Kwan collection, exhibited in Ming and Qing Bamboo, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2000, cat. no. 28; another, from the Walter and Mona Lutz collection, sold in our New York rooms, 18th March 2008, lot 49; and a fourth brushpot, signed Deng Wei, sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2007, lot 33.