A fine blue and white brushpot, bitong, Kangxi period. Estimate £25,000 - 30,000 (€34,000 - 41,000). Photo: Bonhams.

The cylindrical brushpot painted to the exterior in vivid shades of underglaze blue with a continuous landscape scene with a retreated scholar seated at rest beside the lake, and a dignitary holding a long staff crossing a rock bridge, all surrounded by craggy rockwork interspersed with gnarled leafless trees shadowed by overlapping mountain peaks at the background. 15.8cm (6 1/4in) high

Provenance: a French private collection

Illustrated: S. Marchant & Son Ltd., Recent Acquisitions, London, 2007, no.54

Note: See a related blue and white Kangxi period brushpot illustrated in Qing Shunzhi Kangxi chao qinghuaci, Beijing, 2005, pp.320-1, no.210; for a similar pine tree border see p.308, no.204.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART,  14 May 2015 10:00 BST - LONDON, NEW BOND STREET