Ɏ A HUANGHUALI ‘GHOST EYE’ BRUSHPOT, BITONG, LATE MING-EARLY QING DYNASTY

拍品描述

Ɏ A HUANGHUALI ‘GHOST EYE’ BRUSHPOT, BITONG, LATE MING-EARLY QING DYNASTY Expert’s note The present brushpot is distinguished by the exceptional natural beauty of its huanghuali grain, where the wood itself becomes the principal decoration. The dramatic figuring unfolds across the surface in sweeping waves, swirling currents, and mountain-like peaks, creating a landscape in miniature reminiscent of the celebrated dreamstones (mengshi) and the abstracted scenery admired in Chinese landscape painting. The naturally occurring ‘ghost eyes’ within the grain enhance this effect, suggesting distant peaks, mist-filled valleys, and the movement of water across an imagined landscape. Appreciation of precious woods was closely connected with the literati tradition, in which the contemplation of natural forms formed an essential part of scholarly life. Like viewing a landscape painting or a scholar’s rock, the act of observing the changing patterns within the wood encouraged reflection and imaginative engagement. China, 17th-18th century. Of cylindrical form, finely crafted from a single section of huanghuali wood, the surface left unadorned to showcase the extraordinary natural beauty of the timber, the sides display a dramatic arrangement of swirling grain patterns, including a small ‘ghost eyes’ (guiyan) formed by the knots and figuring of the wood, creating a mesmerizing composition of concentric rings, flowing lines, and deep tonal variation. Dimensions: Height 15.8 cm, Diameter 16.1 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 18 March 2015, lot 194 Price: USD 62,500 or approx. EUR 77,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and wood of similar grain and color. Note the related size (17.2 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2022, lot 177 Price: HKD 478,800 or approx. EUR 57,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and wood of similar grain and color. Note the size (22.4 cm). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

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