A rare silver cylindrical brushpot, bitong
Lot 29*
A rare silver cylindrical brushpot, bitong
Sold for £25,000 (US$ 33,920) inc. premium

Lot Details
A rare silver cylindrical brushpot, bitong
A rare silver cylindrical brushpot, bitong
Heavily cast and resting on four lobed feet, the exterior boldly cast in relief with a continuous scene of a celebratory procession of boys variously riding hobby horses, lighting firecrackers, blowing a trumpet and beating drums and cymbals, in front of figures watching from pagodas, one waving a musical-stone pendant and another carrying a large vase of flowers, one large rock bearing the inscription Shi shi cang shu (Stone Hall Library).
14cm (5½ in) diam.

Footnotes

  • 銀鏨刻人物故事圖筆筒 「石室藏書」 隸書刻款

    A spinach-green jade brushpot of similar design with the same inscription 'Shi shi cang shu' and dated to the Qianlong period is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei (museum ref no.002134N000000000).

    Compare also a silver brushpot on loan to the Metropolitan Museum, New York, ref. no.L.1997.23.25, with a Qianlong mark and of the period, probably depicting the Gathering in the Western Garden, a legendary assembly of literary luminaries held in the city of Kaifeng in 1087.
Activities
Auction information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.

Buyers' Obligations

ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Buyers' Premium and Charges

For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:
A successful bidder at this sale will be required to pay Bonhams 1793 Limited ("Bonhams") a premium calculated as follows:
25% on the first £100,000 of the hammer price
20% on the excess of £100,001 and up to £2,000,000 of the hammer price
12% on the excess of £2,000,001 of the hammer price

VAT at 20% will be payable on the amount of the premium.

The premium is payable for the services to be provided by Bonhams in the Buyer's Agreement which is contained in the catalogue for this Sale and for the opportunity to bid for the Lot at the Sale.

Payment Notices

Payment in advance: by cash, cheque with banker's card, credit card, bank draft or traveller's cheque.

Payment at collection: by credit or debit card.

Credit card charges: a surcharge of 2% is applicable when using Mastercard, Visa and overseas debit cards.

Shipping Notices

For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Lot symbols
* Import low rate

VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
Contacts
  1. Gigi Yu
    Specialist - Chinese Works of Art
    Bonhams
    Work
    Suite 2001, One Pacific Place
    Hong Kong
    Work +852 3607 0009
    FaxFax: +852 2918 4320
Similar Items