明十六世紀 剔紅文會圖筆管及筆帽

the slender tubular handle deftly carved in varied levels of relief with a figural scene of scholars and attendants on rocky shores against a ground of waves and floral diapers, one standing holding a fan, another carrying a qin zither, all below a slender overhanging pine bearing clusters of needles and a storeyed pavilion in the distance, the socket containing the hair collared with pointed lappets enclosing floral diapers, the terminal encircled with wan symbols and picked out with a single character shou repeated on the tip of the cap, the latter similarly carved with a scholar and two attendants standing by a lake beside cragged rocks and pine above a band of wan-diapers

There are a few cracks to the lacquer on the cap, across the joint (2 cm.) and around the figures with some lacquer lifting. There is a minute chip to the Shou character on the tip of the cap and some light retouching in areas to the borders and the joints, but overall the brush is in very good condition.
"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."

See four finely carved cinnabar lacquer brushes of the Ming dynasty included in the exhibition Karamono. Imported Lacquer – Chinese, Korean and Ryukyuan (Okinawa), Tokyo, 1997, pls. 70-73; one exhibited in 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1993, cat. no. 52; and two further examples fashioned with figural scenes illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. The Four Treasures of the Study – Inksticks and Writing Brushes, Hong Kong, 2005, pl.121.

Two related brushes were included in the exhibition Ming Lacquer, Bluett and Sons, London, 1960, cat. nos. 20-21; another carved with Daoist immortals, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26^th April 2004, lot 1108; and a further piece depicting sages in a mountainous setting, was sold in our London rooms, 13^th December 1977, lot 272. Compare also a brush, attributed to the late 16^th century, carved with figures, from the collection of Florence and Herbert Irving, and now on loan at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in Michael Knight, East Asian Lacquers, Seattle, 1992, pl.30.