A ‘XI SHANG MEI SHAO’ AND ‘THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER’ CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER BRUSH AND COVER CHINA, MING DYNASTY, 16TH TO 17TH CENTURY The cylindrical shaft delicately carved in deep relief with the theme of the ‘Three Friends of Winter’ (bamboo, plum and pine) as well as with a magpie, the cover is also finely decorated with the same iconographies, the roundel to the end of the lid decorated with a flying crane, the roundel to the end of the grasp decorated with stylised waves and a swastikas, the base of the lid and the base of the brush adorned with keyfrets. L: 25 cm Notes: 1. The brush (毛筆) is the oldest of the ‘Four Treasures of the Study’ (文房四寶) - the other being the ink, the inkstone and the paper - with archaeological evidence dating to Zhou dynasty, during which it was illustrated on bones. 2. Because they all can flourish during the winter, the pine, plum tree and bamboo are known as the ‘Three Friends of Winter’. One can say ‘There is a happy magpie on the tip of the plum branch’, lit. ‘Xi Shang Mei Shao’ (喜上梅稍) which sound exactly like ‘Xi Shang Mei Shao’ (喜上眉稍), lit. happiness up to one's eyebrows. “喜上眉梢”，“岁寒三友”朱漆雕刻带盖毛笔 中国，明代，16-17世纪 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.