Carved Bamboo Bush-holder 
with Female Figures
by Chu San-sung
Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-
1644)
Height:           15.7cm
Diameter:        14.7cm
     This piece is made 
from  a  section  of  the 
bamboo  stem  which  is 
hollow and tubular with a
node at its base, and thus
very suitable to be used
as   brush-holder.   The 
outside wall is delicately
carved with flowers and 
female  figures.   The
carver's name "San-sung" 
is inscribed below the 
decoration.  Chu San-sung
was  a  famous  late-Ming
bamboo   carver  from 
Chiating.