Lot 3318. A finely carved 'Seven sages of the bamboo grove' brushpot, 17th century; 15 cm., 5 7/8 in. Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 HKD. Lot Sold 475,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

carved from a cylindrical section of bamboo in varying layers of relief with the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove', the figures depicted playing chess, writing calligraphy, and conversing, all the while being attended by servants, the dense bamboo growing among gnarled pine trees and jagged rocks, one side with a small diagonal cartouche inscribed with the title reading from left to right, zhulin qi xian tu ('Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove'), fitted with a lacquered hardwood mouthrim and base.