An Yixing stoneware 'pine tree' brush washer, Signed Shi Ying. Photo courtesy Bonhams. 

Naturalistically and superbly potted to resemble a section of pine tree trunk, the exterior carved in high relief with a sturdy pine tree section on one side forming the handle, its gnarled branches extended with lush blooms of iconic pine tree leaves, the intricately carved tree bark vividly highlighted by the natural grain and crevices, the recessed base carefully incised with a series of kaishu inscriptions followed by the potter's signature, the stoneware of a dark brown colour with fine golden speckles all around. 12.7cm wide. Estimate HK$ 400,000 - 600,000 (€38,000 - 57,000)

Compare another two brush washers which also bear the signatures of Shi Ying: one in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, museum number B60 P1733, and the other from the E. Fowler Jr. Foundation Museum, illustrated by Terese T. Bartholomew, I-Hsing Ware, New York, 1977, pp.66-67, pl.43. 

According to the Ming dynasty connoisseur, Zhou Gaoqi (1596-1645) in his book, yangxian minghu xi: yaliu,(Collections of Yangxian Teapot: Scholars), p.4, Shi Ying is the hao of Jiang Bofu, who along with Ou Zhengchun, Shao Wenjin and Shao Wenyin were students of Shi Dabin. He was a friend of the scholar Chen Jiru (1558-1639) and because of his association with the literary circles he was discreet about being a potter, though his pieces were not commonplace.

Bonhams.MASTERPIECES OF YIXING STONEWARE FROM THE MR AND MRS JIMMY SHA COLLECTION. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 13:30 CST - www.bonhams.com