Page 64 - Bonhams September 10 2018 New York Chinese Works of Art

90 91

90 91 Y
A BAMBOO ‘LI BAI’ BRUSHPOT A HUANGHUALI BRUSHPOT
18th/19th century 17th/18th century
The sides of the cylindrical body carved in low relief with a Of cylindrical section with straight sides, the foot fitted with a
continuous scene of the sage poet slumped beneath a willow tree separately carved wooden plug, the tightly grained wood in
with heavy-lidded eyes and quiet smile, under a willow tree, behind variegated honey tones.
him his mischievous attendant steals a sip from the languid sage’s jar 8 1/8in (20.7cm) high
of wine, a crescent moon carved below the rim, incised with a two-
character signature. $4,000 - 6,000
5 7/8in (15cm) high
十七/十八世紀 黃花梨筆筒
$6,000 - 8,000
十八/十九世紀 竹雕太白醉酒圖筆筒

Li Bai was part of a group of poets known as the ‘Eight Immortals
of the Wine Cup’ who celebrated the joys of wine. One of his most
famous poems was ‘Drinking alone under the moon’ which describes
the poet having a private party with three guests: himself, the moon,
and his shadow. On this bamboo brushpot, however, the artist has
replaced Li Bai’s shadow with that of a mischievous figure sipping
from his wine undetected, adding a humorous twist to a well-known
poem.

For a similar design on a bamboo brushpot depicting Li Bai drinking,
see Ip Yee, Chinese Bamboo Carving Part I, Hong Kong, 1978,
pp.222-223.

62 | BONHAMS