A CARVED BAMBOO 'SEVEN SAGES OF THE BAMBOO GROVE' INCENSE HOLDER AND A COVER Late Qing dynastyPROPERTY OF VARIOUS OWNERSA CARVED BAMBOO 'SEVEN SAGES OF THE BAMBOO GROVE' INCENSE HOLDER AND A COVERLate Qing dynastyThe narrow tubular body with a flat base at one end, carved all around in multiple levels of relief with a continuous scene of four elderly scholars conversing in bamboo grove, and three further scholars in a pavilion overlooking a pond with wading geese, lofty bamboo and pine trees growing all around, the patina a warm chocolate brown, the slightly domed removable cap possibly later added.7 7/8in (20cm) high清末 竹雕竹林七賢圖筒