Lot 3210. A rare inscribed book-form brush pot, Qianlong six-character seal mark within a square in iron red and of the period (1736-1795), 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000 (USD 77,410 - USD 103,213) © Christie's Images Ltd 201

The brushpot is finely potted in the form of an open book. The exterior is inscribed with an imperial poem by Emperor Qianlong executed in clerical script, lishu, followed by an inscription Qianlong yuzhi (‘Made by Imperial command of the Qianlong Emperor’) and two seal marks ‘Qian’ and ‘Long’ in a square respectively, in vivid iron red. The rim is gilt and the interior and base are covered in turquoise enamel. 

Note: The present brush pot belongs to a group of ceramics which were made to simulate other material in a playful attempt at trompe-l'oeil or a 'trick of the eye'. Because of the flexibility and ease of use of ceramic clay and the expansive range of enamel colours available, many porcelain items during the Qianlong period were made to imitate other things.

Qianlong period porcelain brushpots inscribed with imperial poems by the Emperor are all comparatively small in size. The two poems inscribed on the present brushpot are recorded in Leshantang quanji, ‘Complete Works from the Leshan Hall’, vol. 21 (fig. 1) a collection of poems and essays written by Qianlong when he was still a prince. The majority of known porcelain objects inscribed with imperial poems recorded in Leshantang quanji are larger pieces for display purposes, but a small group of small objects including snuff bottles, wall vases and brushpots such as the present one also exist. 

fig. 1