Description: Presented for your consideration, a stunning Vintage Antique Chinese Ceramic Brush Pot with Dragon and Phoenix Motifs. Chinese Brush Pots “Bitong” in Mandarin Chinese, “Brush Pots” were first described during the Ming Dynasty where small cylindrical porcelain vessels with slightly flaring mouths were created to house one’s brushes. Scribes and artists would utilise different brushes to perform calligraphy or to render paintings and a brush pot organised brushes efficiently and aesthetically. Handles downwards, brushes stored in this manner would maintain the integrity of their bristles. Popular decorative motifs for brush pots included mythical creatures such as dragons, phoenix, quilin or nature inspired themes. Ceramics, primarily porcelain, were employed but carved bamboo culms, jade, ivory, metal or stone were also used. Although primarily utilised in the storage of brushes they were also implemented to store scrolled paper upright. Listing Description Lovely in its proportions this brush pot’s decorative flourishes are truly sublime. Against the base colour of a rich tonal chocolate-brown a dragon and phoenix dance across the surface amid stylised clouds and stars. Both mythical creatures are rendered in bas-relief creating a subtle dimensional quality to the design. The “Lóng” or “Dragon,” a classical device in Chinese mythological imagery symbolises good fortune, protection, intelligence, masculine traits, yang energy and the embodiment of the emperor. At the juncture of the dragon’s barbels and the phoenix’s beak appears a “Huánglóngqi” or the “Flaming Pearl” which symbolises wisdom, prosperity, immortality, power, spiritual energy, thunder and the moon. The “Fenghuang” or “Phoenix” is considered the first being in Chinese folklore and the king of all birds. The Chinese phoenix differs from the Greek phoenix which is reborn from its ashes after dying in flames. Symbolising peace and prosperity and representing the balance of harmony of the masculine “Yin” energy with the feminine “Yang.” The subtle details of handwork including the delicate tooling of the dragon’s scales and the phoenix’s feathers are beguiling and only invite closer inspection. The extremely restricted colour palette lends a quiet sophistication to the piece. Intelligently conceived, this brush pot’s thick walls and bottom prevented it from easily toppling over when brimming full of brushes. Some crazing is present on both the interior and exterior of the piece but that’s to be expected with an older glazed ceramic object and only imbues it with further character. At the very bottom a maker’s mark was impressed into the still moist dark clay body prior to firing. Unfortunately, the impression is not very clean and it’s rather difficult to decipher. I’ve attempted to photographically capture as much detail as possible. No chips, cracks nor repairs. Expect minor wear commensurate to age and usage but nothing that detracts from the exceptional beauty of this object. Approximate measurements; 4.5” in height x 4” in diameter. Smoke and pet-free home. Will of course be carefully parceled to ensure safe arrival to its destination.
Price: 380 USD
Location: Brooklyn, New York
End Time: 2024-12-01T12:48:46.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Primary Material: Ceramic Possibly Earthenware
Color: Multi-Color
Original/Reproduction: Vintage Original
Region of Origin: China
Age: Unknown
Maker: Hallmarked By Maker In Chinese
