Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736–1795), Trompe-l’Oeil Porcelain Brush Pot Imitating a Woven Bamboo Grain Basket with Mouse, “Zhen Zongyuan” Seal Mark

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 16 cm (6.30 in / 0.52 ft); Mouth Diameter 14.5 cm (5.71 in / 0.48 ft); 18th CenturyCondition & Provenance: Overall in good condition, with the principal structure intact and the molded basketry, ropework, bamboo-form elements, and mouse decoration remaining well defined. Natural surface wear, variations in the brown glazes, and traces consistent with age and use are visible. Condition should be confirmed through physical inspection. The base bears a molded square seal-script mark reading “Zhen Zongyuan.” Provenance: Private collection, Vancouver, Canada, acquired by the family several decades ago.Description: Fashioned in the form of a rustic woven grain basket, this remarkable brush pot belongs to the celebrated Qing tradition of trompe-l’oeil porcelain, in which ceramic materials were manipulated to imitate objects made from bamboo, wood, lacquer, stone, and other natural materials. The cylindrical body is densely modeled with interlocking rectangular strips that reproduce the structure of woven bamboo. Each element is individually articulated in relief, creating convincing overlaps and recesses across the surface. Variegated brown glazes ranging from warm chestnut to deeper brown emphasize the relief and evoke the patina of aged bamboo. The rim is finished as a twisted rope border, while additional modeled cords encircle the body in horizontal bands. A vertical bamboo-form support appears along one side, complete with articulated nodes and tied ropework, further reinforcing the illusion of an actual basket. Perched prominently on the upper rim is a fully modeled mouse, its body crouched forward with pointed snout, alert ears, articulated paws, and a long tail extending along the basket edge. The darker glaze of the animal contrasts effectively with the warm brown basketry. The association of a mouse with a grain-filled storehouse conveys wishes for abundance, plentiful harvests, and prosperity, transforming a technically sophisticated scholar’s object into an auspicious visual rebus. Remarkably, the underside continues the basket-weave treatment rather than reverting to a conventional exposed porcelain foot. A twisted-rope border frames the base, while a square seal-script mark reading “Zhen Zongyuan” is molded directly into the woven ground. During the Qianlong period, Jingdezhen ceramic technology reached extraordinary levels of sophistication, and trompe-l’oeil porcelains became particularly celebrated for their ability to disguise porcelain as other materials. Combining basket-weave modeling, simulated ropework, sculptural animal decoration, and subtly varied brown glazes, the present object embodies this taste for technical virtuosity and visual deception. Based on the cataloging information supplied by the owner, the piece is presented as a Qianlong-period work bearing the “Zhen Zongyuan” mark. The precise historical identity of Zhen Zongyuan, his relationship to imperial porcelain production, and any specific attribution of this object to court use should be established through comparison with securely documented examples, archival evidence, and direct examination of the ceramic body, glazes, and mark.

图片