A BAMBOO 'QIAO SISTERS' BRUSH POT, BITONG, BY YUTIAN HUASHI (THE FLOWER MASTER OF THE JADE FIELD)
A BAMBOO 'QIAO SISTERS' BRUSH POT, BITONG, BY YUTIAN HUASHI (THE FLOWER MASTER OF THE JADE FIELD), 18TH CENTURY
Expert's note: A bamboo carver by the name of Yutian Huashi, literally 'The Flower Master of the Jade Field', does not appear to be recorded. Intriguingly, however, the same sobriquet and poetic inscription found on the present brushpot also appear on a painting attributed to the Qing court artist Feng Ji in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei (object no. 贈畫000850N000000002), which similarly depicts two women with rounded features and flowing robes.
The present brushpot is remarkable for the beauty of its natural grain and the exceptional thickness of the bamboo, which allowed the carver to exploit the material to great effect. By working at varying depths and through differently colored layers of the bamboo, the artist brings the figural scene vividly to life, creating a remarkable three-dimensionality.
China. Of cylindrical form, supported on three short feet, exquisitely carved in varying degrees of subtle high relief to depict two youthful female figures dressed in loose-fitting robes, gracefully gathered at the waist with delicate knots over their sashes, one playing the zither while the other stands behind her with one hand gently placed on her sister's shoulder. The bamboo displays a superb grain and rich, warm color.
Inscriptions: The reverse signed 'Yutian Huashi zuo', and inscribed with a poem:
A crescent moon hangs above the lofty tower;
The rhythmic beating of cloth resounds through the autumn night.
Tonight the magpies form their bridge—
Where will the Cowherd make his crossing?
The final couplet alludes to Qixi, when the Cowherd and Weaver Girl meet across the Milky Way on a bridge formed by magpies. The Qixi Festival, a celebration of romantic love considered the traditional Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
Provenance: The Wumingtang Collection of Guo Hongqiu, acquired in Hong Kong, March 2012.
Guo Hongqiu (b. 1958) is a noted calligrapher, ink painter, and seal carver. Based in Hong Kong, he founded Wumingtang ('Hall of the Nameless') in 2004 as a studio for the practice and teaching of calligraphy and painting. A prominent figure in the artistic life of Hong Kong's Tuen Mun district, Hongqiu received the Tuen Mun Arts Promotion Association's Artist Award in 2008 and its Outstanding Artist Award in 2015. His work has been widely published and exhibited, including a major solo exhibition at the Lin Zexu Memorial Museum in Macau in 2023. Named after Kwok's studio, the Wumingtang Collection was assembled in Hong Kong and focuses on Chinese bamboo scholars' objects, particularly finely carved brushpots distinguished by sophisticated pictorial compositions and calligraphic inscriptions.
Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, minor natural age cracks, and traces of use. The wood with a magnificent patina, naturally grown into an elegant honey-golden hue and beautiful shine overall.
Weight: 289.2 g
Dimensions: Height 14.9 cm, Diameter 10.6 cm
The present brush pot depicts the legendary Qiao Sisters, celebrated for their beauty and their association with two prominent military figures of the late Han dynasty. Daughters of the official Qiao Xuan (109–183), the elder sister married the warlord Sun Ce, while the younger married his close friend and general, Zhou Yu.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 3 April 2019, lot 3717
Price: HKD 262,500 or approx.
EUR 32,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved bamboo 'Qiao sisters' brush po, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, subject, and manner of carving. Note the similar size (15 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 2 December 2015, lot 3153
Price: HKD 187,500 or approx.
EUR 25,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved bamboo 'Qiao sisters' brush pot, Qing dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, subject, and manner of carving. Note the similar size (16 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
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A BAMBOO 'QIAO SISTERS' BRUSH POT, BITONG, BY YUTIAN HUASHI (THE FLOWER MASTER OF THE JADE FIELD), 18TH CENTURY
Expert's note: A bamboo carver by the name of Yutian Huashi, literally 'The Flower Master of the Jade Field', does not appear to be recorded. Intriguingly, however, the same sobriquet and poetic inscription found on the present brushpot also appear on a painting attributed to the Qing court artist Feng Ji in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei (object no. 贈畫000850N000000002), which similarly depicts two women with rounded features and flowing robes.
The present brushpot is remarkable for the beauty of its natural grain and the exceptional thickness of the bamboo, which allowed the carver to exploit the material to great effect. By working at varying depths and through differently colored layers of the bamboo, the artist brings the figural scene vividly to life, creating a remarkable three-dimensionality.
China. Of cylindrical form, supported on three short feet, exquisitely carved in varying degrees of subtle high relief to depict two youthful female figures dressed in loose-fitting robes, gracefully gathered at the waist with delicate knots over their sashes, one playing the zither while the other stands behind her with one hand gently placed on her sister's shoulder. The bamboo displays a superb grain and rich, warm color.
Inscriptions: The reverse signed 'Yutian Huashi zuo', and inscribed with a poem:
A crescent moon hangs above the lofty tower;
The rhythmic beating of cloth resounds through the autumn night.
Tonight the magpies form their bridge—
Where will the Cowherd make his crossing?
The final couplet alludes to Qixi, when the Cowherd and Weaver Girl meet across the Milky Way on a bridge formed by magpies. The Qixi Festival, a celebration of romantic love considered the traditional Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
Provenance: The Wumingtang Collection of Guo Hongqiu, acquired in Hong Kong, March 2012.
Guo Hongqiu (b. 1958) is a noted calligrapher, ink painter, and seal carver. Based in Hong Kong, he founded Wumingtang ('Hall of the Nameless') in 2004 as a studio for the practice and teaching of calligraphy and painting. A prominent figure in the artistic life of Hong Kong's Tuen Mun district, Hongqiu received the Tuen Mun Arts Promotion Association's Artist Award in 2008 and its Outstanding Artist Award in 2015. His work has been widely published and exhibited, including a major solo exhibition at the Lin Zexu Memorial Museum in Macau in 2023. Named after Kwok's studio, the Wumingtang Collection was assembled in Hong Kong and focuses on Chinese bamboo scholars' objects, particularly finely carved brushpots distinguished by sophisticated pictorial compositions and calligraphic inscriptions.
Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, minor natural age cracks, and traces of use. The wood with a magnificent patina, naturally grown into an elegant honey-golden hue and beautiful shine overall.
Weight: 289.2 g
Dimensions: Height 14.9 cm, Diameter 10.6 cm
The present brush pot depicts the legendary Qiao Sisters, celebrated for their beauty and their association with two prominent military figures of the late Han dynasty. Daughters of the official Qiao Xuan (109–183), the elder sister married the warlord Sun Ce, while the younger married his close friend and general, Zhou Yu.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 3 April 2019, lot 3717
Price: HKD 262,500 or approx.
EUR 32,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved bamboo 'Qiao sisters' brush po, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, subject, and manner of carving. Note the similar size (15 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 2 December 2015, lot 3153
Price: HKD 187,500 or approx.
EUR 25,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved bamboo 'Qiao sisters' brush pot, Qing dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, subject, and manner of carving. Note the similar size (16 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
