A CARVED BAMBOO 'SCHOLARS' BRUSHPOT 17TH/18TH CENTURY

of waisted cylindrical form supported on three short bracket feet, carved around the exterior with a continuous rocky scene enclosing a scholar and his attendants beneath towering gnarled pine trees interspersed with swirling clouds, with a lone crane flying above, patinated to a rich reddish-brown tone

Collection of Mr and Mrs R. Soame Jenyns, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire.

Bamboo and Wood Carvings of China and the East, Spink & Son, London, 1979, pl. 13.

Watson, Chinese Art: The Minor Arts,  London, 1963, pl. 197.

This bamboo brushpot is in reasonably good condition, but does have a number of old vertical splits to the lower section which run through the foot. There are also two splits to the top of the rim to the front right side, which have been slightly re-worked to the exterior. There is also one section to the rim to the reverse that has split and has been repaired ( 4.2cm by 3mm).
"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."

Compare a bamboo brushpot carved with figures and pine tree, but mounted with a hardwood rim and stand, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings. Hong Kong, 2001, pl. 29; and another with similar scene, from the Collection of Mr. Chiu Chu-tung, published in Ip Yee & Laurence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving.Part I, Hong Kong, 1978, pl. 53.