明十七世紀 局部鎏金銅嵌銀線「庭閣人物」圖筆筒　連座 （傳）胡文明製

of cylindrical form on a slightly recessed base, cast with a continuous landscape of country residences, craggy mountains and different varieties of trees emerging from rocky islands, one side with a large set of gates opening to the garden of a walled residence, a group of soldiers dismounted from their horses in the distance, the other side with two figures approaching a pavilion, having crossed a 'moon' bridge and passed through an arched gateway, another pavilion built on the opposite river bank with a recumbent dog gazing at the water in front, all below a band of key-fret inlaid in silver at the rim and above a bulging band encircling the foot, the stand with a circular recessed top within swirling clouds, the rounded apron set on five stylised ruyi feet joined by a stretcher forming the base

Alfred Speelman and Son，倫敦，1983年5月

《Special Exhibition for the International Asian Antiques Fair》，香港，1984年
《文玩萃珍》，香港大學馮平山博物館，香港，1986年，編號168

Gerard Tsang 及 Hugh Moss，〈Chinese Metalwork of the Hu Wenming Group〉，《Handbook, International Asian Antiques Fair》，香港，1984年，圖37

Some areas of the cast design, the mouth rim as well as the band encircling the base have been cleaned to provide contrast, as shown on the illustration in the catalogue. There are also some small dents (max. 0.5 cm) around the mouth. However, the overall condition is very good.
"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."

Brushpots cast in bronze are extremely rare, and those made in the late Ming and early Qing periods are even rarer. The present example represents a style associated with the  work or workshop of master artist Hu Wenming, whose pieces can be found in this catalogue such as the pou, lot 118, the gu-form vase lot 122, and the bronze gui lot 167, amongst others.

See a signed brushpot by Hu illustrated in Paul Moss, Emperor, Scholar, Artisan, Monk. The Creative Personality in Chinese Works of Art, London, 1984, pl. 127, where the author mentions the present vessel. The unusually thick silver wire inlay, found beneath the gilded lip, together with the exceptional casting of the piece is reminiscent of  Hu's decorative technique and workmanship.

While being a work of art in its own right, it is possible that this brushpot was made with the intension to copy carved brushpots in other media such as bamboo or wood. See a bamboo brushpot carved with a hunting scene in a related rocky mountainous landscape, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures from the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pl. 34, together with a sandalwood brushpot attributed to the late Ming period, carved with figures below a thick metal rim as seen on the present piece, pl. 18.