Bitong, Brush Pot
2007.12.0005
Detailed Images
Basic Information
Artifact Identification | Bitong, Brush Pot (2007.12.0005) |
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Classification/ Nomenclature |
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Artist/Maker | None |
Geographic Location | |
Period/Date | Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 18th century |
Culture | Chinese |
Physical Analysis
Dimension 1 (Diameter) | 19 cm |
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Dimension 2 (Height) | 18.4 cm |
Dimension 3 (N/A) | N/A |
Weight | 1691 g |
Measuring Remarks | None |
Materials | Pigment, Plant--Wood, Plant--Zitan |
Manufacturing Processes | Carved, Incising, Staining |
Munsell Color Information | N/A |
Research Remarks
Published Description | N/A |
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Description | "A Chinese zitan bitong (brush pot), carved with a continuous hunting scene with four figures on horseback, a deer, three dogs, all in a mountainous landscape. Rarely were zitan bitong carved in low relief. Measuring 7 5/8” wide by 7 1/4” high, this is a rather large 18th century bitong. The four treasures of the scholar’s study were paper, ink, ink-stone, and brush. In addition to the aforementioned objects, brush pots (bitong), seals, wrist rests, and other objects were found on the scholar’s desk. These objects were appreciated not only for their functionality but for their aesthetic qualities and values. Bitong, as well as other scholar’s objects, were often exchanged amongst friends, and/or given as gifts as expressions of sentiment and/or taste. |
Comparanda | Christie’s, NY, 9/18/03, sale #1330, lot 53, A Zitan Lotus Form Chinese Bitong, 17th/18th century of unusual form, naturalistically carved as an upturned lotus leaf with ruffled edges and veining, the side carved in relief with lotus stems and a lotus pod, the base similarly carved 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm.) high, 5 in. (12.7 cm.) diameter. Sotheby’s, NY 3/23/99, sale #7277, lot 16. Rare massive Chinese zitan brushpot, bitong 17th/18th century formed of vigorously grained timber, of cylindrical, slightly concave section with extremely thick sides height 12 in. diameter 14 in. It is extremely rare to find zitan brush pots of this large size. |
Bibliography | Cameron, Nigel. The Chinese Scholar's Desk. Hong Kong: FormAsia Books, 2003. |
Artifact History
Archaeological Data | N/A |
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Credit Line/Dedication | Fred A. Freund Collection |
Reproduction | No |
Reproduction Information | N/A |