A Chinese finely carved hardwood brush pot, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), possibly huanghuali, of tapering cylindrical form, deeply carved with a continuous scene depicting Han Xin on horseback being pursued by Xiao He and his attendants from behind tall rocks, 18cm high, fitted wood stand, overall 23cm high Provenance: A private English collection in Gloucestershire. Han Xin (died 196 BC) was a military general who served Liu Bang (died 195 BC), assisting him in establishing the Han dynasty. At first Han Xin's talents were not recognised and he was merely put in charge of food supplies. Frustrated by this, Han Xin deserted, but Liu Bang's minister, Xiao He (died 193 BC), acknowledged Han Xin's competence and pursued him in the middle of the night, convincing him to continue in his service of Liu Bang's quest to unify China and in the foundation of the Han dynasty. This popular tale, recorded in Sima Qian's Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), became one of the widely used designs among narrative scenes taken from historical texts, novels and dramas reproduced on porcelain wares during the 17th century. No doubt, it would have resonated strongly with many scholar-officials during the late Ming dynasty, who felt their talents to serve in the government were not being appreciated under the declining Ming empire. This narrative can be found on a Yuan dynasty blue and white meiping vase excavated from the tomb of the early Ming general Mu Ying, exhibited in 'Splendors in Smalt: Art of Yuan Blue-and-white Porcelain', Shanghai Museum, 2012, Catalogue, pl.64. The same motif is also depicted on a baluster vase, c.1635-40, illustrated in 'Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection', Alexandria, 1990, p.78, no.37. 清 黄花梨雕萧何月下追韩信图笔筒 Condition report: Chipped to rim. Drilled to base. Surface scratches. Natural cracks to brush pot, splits to wood stand.