A CARVED BAMBOO 'TAO YUANMING' BRUSHRESTQiji zhi three-character mark, Qing DynastyOf gently arched form, carved as a mountainous scene depicting a seated figure of Tao Yuanming contemplating chrysanthemums, next to an elegant wisp of smoke issuing from an incense burner, the reverse inscribed with a three-character mark inkaishu.12.2cm (4 3/4in) longProvenance: 清 竹雕「陶淵明賞菊」筆架「其吉製」楷書款For a related bamboo-root statuette of Tao Yuenming appreciating chrysanthemum blossoms, early Qing dynasty, seeLiterati Spirit: Art of Chinese Bamboo Carving, Shanghai, 2012, p.87, pl.33.此筆架造型取陶淵明《歸去來兮辭》：'三徑就荒，松菊猶存'的意境，以竹雕工畫一老者面帶微笑伸手於數枝菊花前的一刻，身旁香爐飄出縷縷輕煙，意態悠然，背部刻「其吉製」楷書款。相同題材的竹雕例可參考上海博物館藏一件鄧孚嘉款竹根雕陶淵明賞菊，見《竹鏤文心竹刻珍品特集》，上海，2012年，頁87，圖版33。