Lot 3326. A carved hardwood brushpot, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century; 14.5 cm., 5 3/4 in. Estimate 120,000 — 180,000 HKD. Lot Sold 137,500 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

of cylindrical form supported on three low feet, finely carved in intaglio with figures and horses on a tree-planted mountainous landscape inscribed with two poems, one celebrating how fast a legendary horse named Long Ju could run, while also describing the two carved horses on the brushpot, one standing, the second neighing, the second poem about a donkey crossing a small bridge alone while nibbling on flowers, the mouth rim encircled by a key-fret border, the wood of deep brown patina.

Provenance: Nicholas Grindley, London.