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Lot 31

A RARE ZITAN PERSIMMON-SHAPED INK-PALETTE, BITIAN
18th century

14 May 2025, 10:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

£3,000 - £5,000

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A RARE ZITAN PERSIMMON-SHAPED INK-PALETTE, BITIAN

18th century
The shallow tray delicately carved in part openwork relief with a gnarled, leafy branch issuing from the top of the fruit, running across its length to the reverse, with a bat resting on the rim at one end, one blossoming stem trailing over to the shallow interior, facing a mythical beast tasselled pendant.
18.7cm (7 3/8in) wide

Footnotes

十八世紀 紫檀柿形筆掭

The present lot may possibly be an ink palette (bitian 筆掭), traditionally used to adjust ink and moisten the brush before writing or painting, ensuring an even distribution of ink and preventing tonal inconsistencies in a single stroke. However, given the exceptional quality of the carving and the use of precious wood, it is likely that this piece was intended more for decorative purposes than practical use. The persimmon (shi 柿) is a highly auspicious symbol, associated with good fortune, happiness, and success. Its significance stems from its pronunciation, which is a homophone for shi (事), meaning 'affairs' or 'matters.' As such, the persimmon is often seen as a symbol of the wish that all matters will go smoothly (shishi ruyi 事事如意), bringing prosperity and good luck.

See a related ivory ink palette of similar design and shape, mid-Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings in the Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, 2010, p.217.

See a related zitan tray, Qing dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams New York, 12 September 2016, lot 8084.

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