A RARE FAHUA INKSTICK AND BRUSH HOLDERLate Ming Dynasty Of circular drum shape, the top glazed a dark blue with four circular apertures and one rectangular aperture, the turquoise-blue curved sides incised with lotus scrolls and blossoms glazed cream. 13cm (5 1/8in) diam. Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 明晚期 法華釉洋蓮紋鼓形筆插 Provenance : Berwald Oriental Art, London, 23 June 2010 來源 ：倫敦古董商 Berwald Oriental Art，2010年6月23日 A similar fahua inkstick and brush holder, 16th century, from the Sir Percival David collection, is in the British Museum, London (acc.no.PDF.793), illustrated by M.Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art , London, 1978, p.29, no.71, pl.VI). The use of the present lot is clarified by a painting of the famous philosopher Wang Yangming (1472-1529) seated at his writing desk which illustrates a handscroll of his letters and other related material. The piece is shown on his desk with three brushes placed, tips upwards, in it, together with a small vase of flowers, an inkstone and a water dropper or paper weight. The natural assumption is that the rectangular section is to hold an inkstick, which is confirmed by the late Ming scholar Wen Zhenheng, who in Zhang wu zhi ('A Treatise on Superfluous Things') under the heading of brushpots wrote: '... there are also drum-shaped ones with holes in them for inserting brushes and ink. ' pare with a similar fahua -type brush stand, Ming dynasty, which was sold at London, 8 May 2017, lot 176. See Lot 51 in this sale for a parcel-gilt bronze inkstick and brush holder, late Ming dynasty.