China, 17^th century. Deeply carved in openwork displaying masterful use of negative space, richly layered in varying degrees of relief, and subtly incised. Of cylindrical form and raised on three short feet, one side is carved with Wang Qiao standing outside a rocky cave beneath a tall gnarled tree, looking up toward the sky and holding a shoe in his left hand.

Inscriptions: To one side, signed ’Qin Zhiyi’ and dated ‘in the autumn of the Year of Yiwei’. Two seals, ‘Sheng’ and ‘Ye’.

Provenance: Poly Auction, Hong Kong, 2 December 2021, lot 3083, estimate HKD 80,000 or approx. EUR 11,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). The private collection of Jules Speelman, London, United Kingdom, acquired from the above. Jules Speelman is a world-leading dealer and collector of East Asian art with 60 years of experience. In 1964 he joined his late father, Alfred, in the family business which already stretched back three generations to 19th century Holland and expanded into England around the turn of the century. Originally, A & J Speelman dealt with antiques, from European ceramics, silver, tapestries, and furniture to Chinese porcelain, and works of art. With his father, Jules gradually shifted the focus towards Asia and under Jules Speelman's skilled direction, A & J Speelman is now considered amongst the foremost dealers in Asian antiques, with a particular emphasis on figurative sculpture and works of art from the past 2000 years.
Condition: Good condition with old wear, traces of use, natural imperfections including expected age cracks, light scratches to interior, the foot rim with few tiny losses and small pierced holes. The bamboo with a rich, naturally grown, dark amber-brown patina.

Weight: 257 g
Dimensions: Height 13.8 cm

The brushpot references the tale of the legendary Immortal Wang Qiao as recounted in Anecdotes about Spirits and Immortals (Sou shen ji), compiled by Gan Bao (d. 336). During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Han dynasty, Wang Qiao, formerly an official in the Department of State Affairs, was appointed magistrate of Ye County. Renowned for his command of Immortal arts, he was able to journey from Ye County to the Imperial Court on the first day of every month. Perplexed by Wang Qiao's regular appearances without the use of a carriage or horse, Emperor Ming discreetly ordered a Court officer to investigate. The officer observed that, shortly before Wang Qiao's arrival, a pair of wild ducks would fly in from the southeast. Intrigued, the emperor commanded an ambush to capture the birds. Yet, when the net ensnared them, the ducks vanished, leaving behind only a pair of shoes. Upon inspection, these shoes were recognized as those previously bestowed by the emperor upon officials in the Department of State Affairs.

The tale of Wang Qiao symbolizes transcendence and the Daoist pursuit of Immortality, illustrating his mastery over supernatural arts through his ability to travel effortlessly. His transformation into wild ducks and ultimate disappearance highlights the elusiveness of true wisdom and the futility of earthly constraints on those who have transcended the material world.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related bamboo brushpot with a scholar under a pine tree, China, dated to the 17^th century, in the collection of the British Museum, registration number 1992,0601.3.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Near identical
Auction: Christie’s Paris, 15 June 2004, lot 58
Price: EUR 22,325 or approx. EUR 31,000 and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved bamboo brushpot, China, Qing dynasty, late 17^th-early 18^th century
Expert remark: This brushpot was carved by the same artist, Qin Zhiyi, with an inscription dating it to the year 1679. The subject and carving style are identical to the present lot, and the size (14.7 cm) is similar.