A Hardwood-Mounted Bamboo Brush PotQing dynasty, signed Wang Yuangu
The dark bamboo carved and undercut with a continuous mountain scene showing a rural pavilion where two scholars playing weiqi, another watches the game and a fourth person looks outward toward a figure arriving on horseback on a pathway from a rocky ravine, a younger male approaching behind a looming rock with a dog on a leash followed by a scholar and his two assistants crossing over a stream on a simple planed bridge, a willow branch hanging above from the rocky ledge, enhanced by wutong, prunus and pine boughs; the three-character signature incised in clerical script.
6 3/4in (17.2cm) high注脚This scene may refer to an episode in the life of the Jin dynasty army commander Xie An, who was delivered the news of his army's victory at Feishui, while entertaining a guest at his eastern mountain retreat. He received the message without a sign of emotion and continued the game. This was a popular story among Qing carvers.