Writing brush with dragon amid clouds
Unknown Artist
mid-18th century
Medium
Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze iron red (Jingdezhen ware)
Dimensions
H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of A. W. Bahr, 1958
Accession Number
58.64.34
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite porcelain writing brush, titled *Writing Brush with Dragon amid Clouds*, hails from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911), crafted the mid-18th at the renowned Jingdezhenns. Standing 12 inches tall, this slender functional object—meant for calligraphy, a revered art form—transforms everyday utility into imperial splendor. Jingdezhen ware, the pinnacle of Chinese porcelain production, supplied the court with flawless pieces, blending practicality with opulent decoration. The brush features a dynamic dragon weaving through swirling clouds, painted in vibrant underglaze cobalt blue for depth and durability, accented by overglaze iron red for vivid highlights. These techniques, perfected during the Qing era, allowed for intricate designs fired at high temperatures, ensuring the colors' longevity. The dragon motif, a hallmark of imperial porcelain, symbolizes power, good fortune, and the emperor's divine authority, evoking the mythical creatures believed to control weather and protect the realm. Now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thanks to a 1958 gift from A. W. Bahr, this piece offers a glimpse into Qing opulence, where even scholarly tools embodied cosmic grandeur and cultural prestige. Visitors will appreciate its delicate balance of form, function, and symbolism.