Zitan brush pot -
high relief - circa 14-16th century
We were told this was no ordinary scholar's brush
pot. For starters, the style of high relief carving seen on this
brush pot has not been produced in China since the mid 14th century.
Second, the portrayal of the characters on the brush pot is typical
of the Yuan dynasty, dating back to 11th century, and has fallen
out of favor since late 13th century. Third, the lip of the brush
pot is uneven, indicating it was made entirely by hand. Since the
16th century, small mechanical wooden tools were introduced that
allowed the carving of perfectly round and even edges. The fact
that the lip is not entirely smooth is a sign of that the brush
pot was hand carved an sanded, pre the invention of the mechanical
tools. Last, in ancient China only famous craftsmen were allowed
to carve their names onto their creations. Judging not only by this
ancient cultural rule but also by the quality of the craftsmanship,
the artist would have been well known in his time. There is never
a dull scene as one turns the brush pot from one angle to another,
with images likely from a story known to the ancient Chinese. In
the depiction, three women play musical instruments, two women make
dinner with pots, one woman dances, two women holding music instruments
take a break from the practice, an older man sits by a table toped
with fruit baskets and a tea pot, two rabbits play by an old tree,
and a traditional Chinese garden landscape serves as a backdrop.
The ox-hair grain provides a primary indication of the wood being
xiao-ye-tan zitan. Xiao-ye-tan zitan, considered the most precious
wood, has been extinct since the early 19th century. Both the design
and workmanship are of the highest standard and the style is exceedingly
rare. Circa 14-16th century. Lower Base Diameter: 6.61", upper diameter:
7", height: 5.9", weight: 5.5 pounds.
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