Brush Holder
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), early 19th century
Medium
Wood (huanghuali)
Dimensions
13.1 × 12.3 cm (5 1/8 × 4 13/16 in.); Diam.: 12.3 cm (4 13/16 in.)
Classification
writing equipment
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
199774
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
For the educated elite of Late Imperial China, stationery objects were not only essential utensils for writing and painting, but also emblems of cultural identity. While members of the imperial court and the newly affluent favored works of lavish materials and overtly decorative styles, true men of letters cherished items with subtle sophistication. This small cylindrical brush pot, crafted from dark huanghuali wood, epitomizes such literati aesthetic with its spare and simply incised imagery. T...