A fine and rare Chinese bamboo bitong Kangxi 1662-1722

A fine and rare Chinese bamboo bitong Kangxi 1662-1722, delicately carved in relief with the Er Qiao Gong Du, of the two Qiao sisters reading together, one kneeling on a kang with a vase of chrysanthemum, scrolls boxes and an incense burner at her side, the rim and foot with hardwood mounts, 13.6cm

Provenance: an English private collection in Kent, acquired c.1960.

Cf. The Victoria and Albert Museum, no.FE 14-1973, for another bamboo bitong carved with the same subject, given by Dr J W Grice. See also C. Clunas, Chinese Carving, p.48, fig.46.

This scene, from the The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, tells the famous story of two beautiful and virtuous sisters, who both lost their husbands in battle, never remarrying and remaining faithful in memory of their husbands.

清康熙  竹雕二橋共讀筆筒

來源：1960年代購入，英國肯特私人收藏