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Elegant Chinese bitong in carved bamboo, finely worked in high relief with a scene of scholars in a wooded landscape.
Under the foliage of a tall pine tree, several sages in traditional robes stand around a table, immersed in reading or contemplation.
Their bamboo pavilions, stylized foliage and the rocks at their feet evoke the ideal of harmony between man and nature so dear to Chinese philosophy.
This bitong, the companion of the erudite scholar, was used to store writing brushes. It symbolizes the quest for balance between knowledge, beauty and meditation.
Inside the cylinder, a signature in black ink "王" (Wáng), literally King, identifies the master sculptor or workshop in southern China who produced this work towards the end of the Qing dynasty (19th century). This type of mark, often discreet and hidden inside, reflects the modesty of the artistic gesture and the contemplative spirit of the Suzhou and Canton workshops.
The bamboo surface offers a warm, satiny patina, with natural cracks in the material, testifying to the passage of time and the organic life of the material.
Dimensions:
Height: 14.3 cm
Diameter: 7 cm (5.6 in x 2.75 in)
Origin : China
Period: Late 19th century - early 20th century
Signature : "王" (Wang), in black ink inside the cylinder
Condition : Good overall condition, with age-related cracks and natural wear of the bamboo
Material : Hand-carved bamboo
Ref: I3R6JE1XE3