Lot 141. An inscribed underglaze-blue and copper-red brushpot, mark and period of Kangxi (1662-1722); d. 19.2 cm, 7 5/8 in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD (63,700 - 89,180 USD). Photo: Sotheby's.
of cylindrical form, inscribed in underglaze blue with the text of the Sheng zhu de xian chen song `Ode to the Finding of Virtuous Officials by the Divine Ruler' in kaishu script, finished with a copper-red seal reading Xi chao chuan gu, the base with a recessed circle in the centre inscribed with a six-character reign mark.
Note: The passage inscribed on this brushpot is Sheng zhu de xian chen song written by Wan Tie Xiao, praising the Emperor who has the assistance of excellent ministers. The seal reads Xi chao chuan gu ('antique to be handed down from our glorious dynasty'). Reference is made in Yinliuzhai shou ci [Remarks on porcelain from the Studio of a Wine Lover] to this type of brushpots.
Similar Kangxi marked brushpots with the same inscription and seals include one sold in these rooms, 28th November 1978, lot 269, and later included in Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Ceramics, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 112, and another, also sold in these rooms, 2nd May 2000, lot 577.
Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art from the Collection of Sir Quo-Wei Lee, Hong Kong, 03 oct. 2018, 10:10 AM