Lot 14. A fine burlwood brushpot, bitong, 18th century; 13cm (5in) diam. Sold for £3,825 (Estimate £2,000 - 3,000). © Bonhams 2001-2022

The cylindrical vessel smoothly carved revealing a lustrous surface with densely knotted grain and attractive 'eye figures', the wood of chocolate-brown tone, the base with pine plug in the centre. 

Provenance: Thomas Navratil, Zurich
Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 12 November 1999.

Published and Illustrated: Sydney L. Moss Ltd., Escape from the Dusty World: Chinese Paintings and Literati Works of Art, London, 1999, no.48
S.Marsh, Brushpots: A Collector's View, Hong Kong, 2020, pp.46-47.

Note: The present lot has a delightful surface pattern, which is often as intriguing as swirling incense smoke. To the literati, such pieces spoke eloquently of the subtle human mind and expressed an understanding that good art is no slave to nature, but a full partner in man's pursuit of understanding. Compare with a similar burlwood brushpot, 17th/18th century, illustrated by G.Wu Bruce, The Best of the Best: The MQJ Collection of Ming Furniture, vol.2, Hong Kong, 2017, p.447.

Compare with a related burlwood brushpot, Qing dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 26 May 2013, lot 10. See also a related burlwood brushpot, 18th century, which was sold at Bonhams London, 13 May 2021, lot 22.

Bonhams. THE MARSH COLLECTION ART FOR THE LITERATI, 3 November 2022, London, New Bond Street