AN INSCRIBED BAMBOO ‘ESSAY BY LIU ZONGZHOU’ BRUSHPOT BY WANG MEILIN, QING DYNASTY, JIAQING PERIOD, DATED TO THE GENGWU YEAR (IN ACCORDANCE WITH 1810)

inscribed in clerical script with the essay titled Rensheng kuai zai [How Happy is Man’s Life] and dated to the gengwu year, signed Wang Meilin zhi with two further seals of the artist Wangheng and Zhongwen, the text preceded by an incised seal impression qianyun ('thousand clouds')

Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th November 2006, lot 1649.

The brushpot is in good overall condition with fine expected vertical age cracks as visible in the catalogue photo, one of which has been filled in. The actual colour is less red and more brown than in the catalogue photo.
"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 brushpot is inscribed with a revised version of the essay Renshen kui zai [How Happy is Man’s Life], by the Ming scholar Liu Zongzhou (1578-1645), which can be translated as follows:

If in a man’s life he were to achieve the creativity of Li Qinglian [Li Bai (701-762)], the rich charm of Pan Huangmen [Pan Yue (247-300)], the awe-inspiring dignity of Guo Fenyang [Guo Ziyi (698-781)], the great wealth of Shi Jilun [Shi Chong (210-263)], to be as crazy as Ruan Ji [210-263], as interesting as Tao Qian [365-427], to enjoy a literary friendship such as that between scholar Su [Su Shi (1036-1101)], and Foyin [1032-1098], to have serving girls the like of Hongfu [Red Whisk], and Lüzhu [Great Pearl], and to have a slave like Kunlun – that indeed would be enough! To travel in the Mi family’s boat to ride King Mu’s horse, to enjoy the scenery of all islands and islets, to wander far throughout the world, not misuse fine spring weather, and not let one moonlit evening pass in vain – though there might be other ways of happiness, I would not change these for anything!

Wang Meilin, also known as Wang Heng, represents the fourth generation of the famous Wang family of bamboo carvers. A native of Jiading during the Jiaqing Emperor’s reign, Wang carved predominantly in low relief. A brushpot of his in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Literati Spirit. Art of Chinese Bamboo Carving, Shanghai, 2012, cat. no. 71.