Bamboo Water Container in the Shape of a Lotus Leaf, with signature of Zhu Sansong

The root of a bamboo has been carved here into the shape of a lotus leaf, with its curled edges closing together to form a pool in which a brush can be washed with water. The edges of the leaf are riddled with insect holes as a crab rests on one end. The outside of the lotus leaf reveals veins, among which is a small signature in running script that reads "Made by Sansong." Zhu Sansong, whose formal name was Zhizheng, was the most outstanding member of the "Three Zhu's of Jiading" in bamboo carving in the late Ming dynasty. This is why "it is said that Xiaosong was more famous than Songlin, and Sansong eclipsed Xiaosong," as stated in "Catalogue of Remaining Ink at the Tui-shan Studio." "Catalogue of Bamboo and Carvers" also mentions that Sansong excelled at carving "brush holders and book cases, decorated with such things as crabs and toads." In relief carving, he specialized in using bamboo roots to make sculptures. This work is the masterpiece of a genius in terms of utilizing natural materials and its workmanship.