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A CARVED BAMBOO CALLIGRAPHIC BRUSHPOT, BITONG Signed Mo Yuan, 17th/18th century image 1
A CARVED BAMBOO CALLIGRAPHIC BRUSHPOT, BITONG Signed Mo Yuan, 17th/18th century image 2
Lot 61

A CARVED BAMBOO CALLIGRAPHIC BRUSHPOT, BITONG
Signed Mo Yuan, 17th/18th century

Scholarly Gems from the Collection of Mr & Mrs Gerard Hawthorn
14 May 2025, 10:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £6,400 inc. premium

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A CARVED BAMBOO CALLIGRAPHIC BRUSHPOT, BITONG

Signed Mo Yuan, 17th/18th century
Of cylindrical form, carved in relief with a gnarled branch bearing prunus blossoms and a noded bamboo section with leaves, accompanied by a long poetic inscription ending with a signature reading mo yuan, the bamboo of rich caramel tone.
11.2cm (4 3/8in) wide.

Footnotes

十七/十八世紀 竹雕竹梅圖詩文筆筒
「莫遠」款

The inscription reads: 雪冷江深無夢到，自鋤明月種梅花。莫遠

Which may be translated as: 'The snow is cold, and the river is deep, no dreams can reach. With a hoe under the bright moon, I plant plum blossoms. Mo Yuan'

This sentence is from the work 'Planting Plum Trees' (zaimei 栽梅) by Zhuo jing 卓敬 (?-1402) who was a politician, a scholar and poet of the early Ming dynasty. The plum blossom holds deep significance in Chinese culture, symbolising strength, virtue, hope, and renewal. Blooming in the depths of winter, often preceding the arrival of spring, it embodies resilience, perseverance, and steadfast determination. In Confucian thought, the plum blossom serves as a metaphor for scholars and individuals who remain true to their principles despite adversity.

See a related bamboo carved 'prunus' brushpot, 18th century, which was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7 October 2010, lot 2218.

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