A FINE AND RARE IMPERIAL IVORY 'DRAGON' BRUSHPOT

细节
A FINE AND RARE IMPERIAL IVORY 'DRAGON' BRUSHPOT
QIANLONG

The cylindrical sides finely carved in high relief and openwork with three writhing five-clawed dragons contesting flaming pearls amidst dense cloud and flame-scrolls, the rim carved in medium relief with five bats among clouds, age cracks
5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm.) high

拍品专文

No comparable ivory brushpots appear to have been published. Most are carved in shallow relief with less overtly Imperial, more scholarly subject matter or incised with inscriptions.

The style and treatment of the dragons among dense cloud-scrolls recalls a distinctive group of official Imperial ivory 'dragon' seals inscribed Tai Shang Huang Di Zhi Bao, the title assumed by the Emperor Qianlong following his abdication on 9th February 1795. For an example, cf. Soame Jenyns, Chinese Art, The Minor Arts, vol. II, p. 168, fig. 127, from the Collection of Mr E.H. North. Another was sold in London, 15 July 1980, lot 210.

(US$40,000-50,000)