A RARE AND FINELY CARVED BAMBOO 'SCHOLAR AND PINE' WRIST REST LATE MING / EARLY QING DYNASTY

skilfully carved as a scholar sitting on a rocky ground beneath an overhanging pine tree, the bottom of the ground fixed on a hinge to the base of the clip picked out in the form of a craggy boulder pierced with apertures simulating crevices, skilfully created so that the figure and pine tree can be moved out, the bamboo of a variegated brown patina

Christie's Hong Kong, 1st May 2000, lot 761.

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are typical age cracks, the most prominent being a vertical crack below the figure. Minor surface wear and bruising.
"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."

Another bamboo wrist rest of almost identical composition and similar high quality carving, depicting a scholar seated amidst rockwork, was sold in our London rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 234, and is now in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland example is signed Zhongqian, the sobriquet of the bamboo carved Pu Cheng, who was active in the early 17th century. It is illustrated by Wang Shiziang and Wan-go Weng, Bamboo Carving of China, China Institute in America, New York, 1983, cat. no. 4, where is conjectured that it could also act as a scroll clip. See also the other example offered in this sale, lot 3045.