Lot 3362. A finely carved bamboo brush pot, Late Ming-Early Qing dynasty, 17th century; 5 3/4 in. (14.7 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 60,000 - HKD 80,000. Price Realized HKD 250,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013 

The exterior is carved in openwork to depict a scholar talking to a monk, another scholar with an attendant carrying a qin zither standing next to a table prepared with tea drinking vessels and books. The whole scene is set within an opening under the shade of an aged pine tree and besides ornamental rocks. The reverse is later inscribed dingyi qiuri Sansong zhi, 'Made in the Autumn of the Dingyi year by Sansong', Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese family collection, Kyushu, acquired in the 1950s.

Note: Sansong was the alias for the carver Zhu Zhizheng, a native of Jiading, Jiangsu province, and the second son of the Ming dynasty bamboo carver, Zhu Ying. He was active from 1621-1644 and was known to carve for his own pleasure. Another example by the artist, of almost identical size to the present lot, also carved in openwork with a similar theme and with an inscription dating to 1618 was sold at Christie's New York, 16 September 1999, lot 34.