**Originally Listed At $600**

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A lovely bamboo vessel carved as if the viewer is parting branches to see men studying scrolls, farmers with an ox, and a group gathered around a game table. Bamboo carving is an ancient artform, but in the late-Ming and beginning of the Qing era, bamboo carvings became a very sophisticated skill with experimentation in relief and textural details. The upper scene has what could be called 5 layers or grades of depth - bamboo trunks, men, and additional layers of trunks. Expert bamboo artists needed to be versed in poetry, calligraphy, painting as well as carving- essentially, they must be literati themselves to achieve the desired aesthetic. This cylindrical piece may have been a brush holder, and has a hole carved into the base for draining ink or water but could be used today for holding dried or faux flowers! Size: 4.5" Diameter x 16.75" H (11.4 cm x 42.5 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010

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#178659

Stable pressure fissures and nicks to surfaces. A Few chips to base, but overall great condition.