Imagery of the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' was a popular decorative theme on scholar's objects of the late Ming to early Qing period. The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, or the Seven Worthies, was a group of distinguished scholar-officials of the late 3rd century who lived in the seclusion of a bamboo grove for the enjoyment of music, wine, poetry and literary composition. Their literary pursuits away from the world of official responsibilities became a prevalent theme from the late Ming period onward. An example of this same composition, with exception of two scholars playing chess in the recess of a bamboo grove, in the National Palace Museum, is illustrated in Possessing the Past, New York, 1996, pl. 271, p. 466.

The two-character inscription, Gu Jue, is the name of the master carver whose designation is known as Zong Yu. Gu Jue was a native of Jiangsu province and was active during the Kangxi period; his renowned style is characterised by carvings in high relief and attention to details. Compare two brushpots both inscribed with the Gu Jue signature: the first from the Dexinshuwu collection, sold in these Rooms, 30 May 2005, lot 1293; and the other from the Mary and George Bloch collection, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 23 October 2005, lot 5.