Lot 107. A zitan scrollpot, Qing dynasty; diameter 25.9 cm., 10 1/8  in. Estimate 120,000 — 180,000 HKD. Lot Sold 625,000 HKD (71,847 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

of cylindrical form, the finely and densely grained surface patinated to a lustrous dark brown colour.

Exhibited: In Pursuit of Antiquities: Thirty-fifth Anniversary Exhibition of the Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1995-96, cat. no. 277, p. 306.
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1997-99.
Grace Wu Bruce, Chan Chair and Qin Bench: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture II, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1998, cat. no. 42, pp. 142-143.

Note: "A magnificent large zitan pot in which I used to put my best handscrolls."

Zitan is the most prized wood in the Qing dynasty and the large size and thickness (2.3 cm) of this pot makes it a highly precious piece. Brushpot-shaped containers become used as scroll holders after they reach a certain size and this piece may have been used for storing small scrolls.

Sotheby's. Ming Furniture – The Dr S Y Yip Collection, Hong Kong, 07 October 2015