Bitong, Brush Pot

2007.12.0005

Thumbnail of Bitong, Brush Pot (2007.12.0005)

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Basic Information

Artifact Identification Bitong, Brush Pot   (2007.12.0005)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Communication T&E
  2. :
  3. Written Communication T&E
  4. :
  5. Writing Accessories
Artist/Maker None
Geographic Location
Period/Date Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 18th century
Culture Chinese

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Diameter) 19 cm
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
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.

Zitan wood is a purplish black wood and one of the most important woods in Chinese decorative arts. Zitan is the hardest and heaviest of all the hardwoods. Due to the scarcity of large zitan trees, objects made of zitan are considered exceptional treasures. There are two species which are native to China: Pterocarpus santalinus and Pterocarpus indicus." - Bernie McManus, Appraiser, Woodbury House, Connecticut, 10/29/2007

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
Credit Line/Dedication Fred A. Freund Collection
Reproduction No
Reproduction Information N/A

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