The subject matter of the present lot is similar to a boxwood brushpot bearing the signature of the carver, Wu Zhifan, and inscribed by Emperor Qianlong in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Bamboo Carving of China, figs. 51 and 51a (two views). The scene is reputedly of Xie An, the 4th century prime minister of the Eastern Jin. In the winter of 383 A.D. when his state was invaded, Xie An was playing weiqi when messengers arrived bearing inauspicious news of the invasion, Xie was unmoved and calmly continued with the game.

(US$3,500-4,000)