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Lot 51
A LARGE CARVED BAMBOO 'EIGHT HORSES OF MUWANG' BRUSHPOT, BITONG 17th/18th century
14 May 2025, 10:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £8,320 inc. premium
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A LARGE CARVED BAMBOO 'EIGHT HORSES OF MUWANG' BRUSHPOT, BITONG
17th/18th century
Resting on three low tab feet, carved in high part openwork relief with a continuous scene depicting the horses and grooms in a pine grove and on riverbanks amongst craggy rocks, the grooms variously seated in conversation, leading the tethered horses to water, feeding, tethering and resting the animals, the reverse with a waterfall deeply inset in between jagged cliffs.
16.5cm (6 1/2in) high.
Resting on three low tab feet, carved in high part openwork relief with a continuous scene depicting the horses and grooms in a pine grove and on riverbanks amongst craggy rocks, the grooms variously seated in conversation, leading the tethered horses to water, feeding, tethering and resting the animals, the reverse with a waterfall deeply inset in between jagged cliffs.
16.5cm (6 1/2in) high.
Footnotes
十七/十八世紀 竹雕八駿圖筆筒
Provenance: Purchased from Ulrich Hausmann (1947-2023), 1986 (collector's notes)
來源： 購於Ulrich Hausmann(1947-2023)，1986年（據藏家筆記）
Ulrich Hausmann (1947–2023) was a distinguished collector and scholar of Chinese art, particularly renowned for his expertise in later Chinese bronzes. Based in Germany, he assembled an important collection that contributed significantly to the understanding of Ming and Qing dynasty bronzes.
The 'Eight Horses of Muwang' refer to a legendary tale in which King Mu of the Zhou dynasty dreamed of attaining Immortality. Motivated by this aspiration, he resolved to journey to the heavenly paradise to taste the fabled peaches of immortality. According to the story, a brave charioteer named Zaofu guided the king's chariot on this celestial adventure. The chariot was drawn by eight extraordinary horses, each named either for the colour of its coat or for its remarkable abilities, such as the 'horse that gallops without touching the ground.' This legend embodies themes of ambition, the pursuit of transcendence, and the wonders of the divine realm.
For scholars, however, the horse carried deeper metaphorical significance, symbolising their own cultivation and preparation. Just as selecting and breeding fine horses demanded care and skill, scholars were rigorously trained to excel in their studies and pass the Imperial examinations, enabling them to serve their master, the emperor, with loyalty and talent. This idea of the groom and horse traces back to the legendary judge of horses, Bo Le, whose ability to recognise exceptional horses became a metaphor for identifying capable officials. This symbolism became a subtle plea for the proper recognition and use of scholarly talent.
See a very similar bamboo brushpot, Kangxi, signed Wu Zhifan, illustrated by Sydney L. Moss Ltd., The Literati Mode: Chinese Scholar Paintings, Calligraphy and Desk Objects, London, 1986, pp.156-159.
See also a similar carved bamboo 'Eight Horses of Muwang' brushpot, 17th/18th century, which was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 3 October 2018, lot 3676.