Brush with Carved Design
Unknown Artist
1573–1619
Medium
carved bamboo
Dimensions
h. 24.2 cm · handle: h. 21 cm
Classification
Wood
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Anonymous Gift
Accession Number
1967.194
About this artwork
In China, access to political power was granted to those who passed the civil service examinations, a system that offered official service only at a high level of education. Chinese literati-officials, whose daily routine involved administrative work in an office, enjoyed precious objects on their writing desks that offered distraction and demonstrated good taste. By the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, these utensils of the literati studio became also collectibles and were treas...