Brush Washer
Kangxi period, 1662/1722
Medium
porcelain with peachbloom glaze
Dimensions
overall: 3.5 x 11.8 cm (1 3/8 x 4 5/8 in.)
Classification
Decorative Art
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Widener Collection
Accession Number
1942.9.504
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Brush Washer** from China's Qing Dynasty, crafted during the Kangxi period1662–1722), exemplifies the era's mastery of porcelain artistry. Produced at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen, it served a practical yet refined purpose: scholars and calligraphers used it to rinse their writing brushes, preventing ink buildup during artistic pursuits. Measuring just 3.5 x 11.8 cm, its petite, elegant form—often lotus-leaf shaped—reflects the literati ideal of blending utility with subtle beauty. The standout feature is its peachbloom glaze, a hallmark innovation of Kangxi potters. This ...
About the Artist
Chinese Qing Dynasty
"Chinese Qing Dynasty" serves as a collective attribution in museum collections for anonymous artworks produced during China's Qing era (1644–1912), encompassing the works of imperial workshop artisans rather than a single individual. These creators operated primarily from the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, where potters, painters, and enamellers collaborated under strict court oversight, though sp...