Chinese carved bamboo 'Seven Sages' brush pot or bitong

Chinese carved bamboo 'Seven Sages' brush pot or bitong, Qing dynasty, 19th century, featuring a continuous openwork scene of 'The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove', two sages playing weiqi and four examining a scroll while the seventh looks on, all against a backdrop of finely reticulated towering bamboo stalks, the depiction framed by two large pine trees and craggy rockwork, 13.5cm diameter x 16.3cm high

Deceased estate, Hotwells, Bristol.

The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' were mid-3rd century intellectuals who retreated to the countryside as a reaction against the corrupt politics of the urban Wei dynasty rulers. They reflect the virtues of art and cerebral pursuits.

For related bitongs, see:
Christie’s New York, Fine Chinese Archaic Bronzes, Ceramics and Works of Art on 20 September 2002, lot 155.
Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 5th March 2021, lot 541.