Lot 190. A cinnabar lacquer cylindrical 'Official' brush and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century; 11 1/4in (28.2cm) long overall. Estimate US$ 2,500 - US$ 4,500. Sold for US$ 1,530. © Bonhams 2001-2021

Extremely well carved in deep dense relief in a continuous scenes around the stem and cover with a group of birds with out-stretched wings amidst peony sprays, the decoration mirrored on the cover and each bordered with key-pattern and diaper cell bands, the brush further carved with a roundel with the character lu (to record) towards one end.

Property from the Robert and Mee-Din Moore Collection

Note: For another Ming brush dated to the late Ming dynasty with a garden landscape scene carved around the body of the brush and with single shou character roundel at each end, from the Victor and Nancy Pan Collection, see Zhang Rong (ed.), The Creation of Natural Immensity and Grandeur, The Yang Ming Shan Fang Collection of Lacquer from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Tipei, 2020, pp. 112-115, no. 33.

Bonhams. Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings, New York, 20 Sep 2021