Lot 2945. A fine Yixing peach-form brush washer, Republic period (1911-1949); 3 7/8 in. (9.9 cm.) wide. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000. Price realised HKD 275,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019.

 The washer is potted as half a peach supported on a finely modelled seeded lotus pod, a chestnut and a baby aubergine. Lying in the interior is a melon seed and a half-walnut. The base is incised with eight characters, yaochi jieshi, liaodian baogong, a poetic inscription followed by the character, Yuan, and a stamped, Chen Mingyuan, square seal mark.

Provenance: Acquired in Singapore, 23 June 1972.

Note: ‘Yaochi’ refers to the jade pond where, according to the Daoist legend, the residence of Xiwangmu (the Queen Mother of the West) is located and supposedly where the peaches of immortality grow. 

Property from the Quek Kiok Lee Collection.