Minneapolis Institute of Art

Brush Pot

China

Date

18th century

Medium

Zitan hardwood

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Exceptional for its size and finely textured grain, this container is large enough to have been used for storing large brushes, rolls of paper, handscrolls, paper weights, and other accoutrements of the scholar's table. Zitan, an extremely dense hardwood, became popular during the eighteenth century as the supply of huanghuali began to decline. The Qing court eventually assumed control of the imported wood and used much of it for the making of fine furniture for the forbidden city. This plain, unadorned container draws its aesthetic appeal from the clean lines, pleasing proportions, and natural beauty of the heavily waxed hardwood. China, Asia

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