Zitan smooth brush pot - late 18th
century, xiao-ye-tan zitan
Carved from a single block of xiao-yie-tan zitan, this cylindrical
brushpot dates from early to mid 18th century. Though simple in
form, this brushpot is made from a single piece of very fine quality
xiao-yie-tan zitan wood. The surface is beautifully waxed. The surface
of the wood consists of ox-hair like fine grains that are exclusively
found in xiao-yie-tan zitan objects. Zitan, sometimes called red
or purple sandalwood, has long been considered the most precious
wood in the world. Zitan is also one of the most exclusive hardwoods
because historically only the Chinese imperial household was allowed
to use it. Today, zitan researchers often divide this very precious
tropical hardwood into three main subspecies. Xiao-yie-tan is the
most rare form of the three, and is the favorite among zitan collectors.
Grown only in India, xiao-yie-tan zitan trees have been extinct
since the early 19th century, making virtually every piece made
of xiao-yie-tan an antique. Xiao-yie-tan timber is known for having
the smallest diameter of all types of zitan and can typically only
be made into small objects, versus others, such as da-yie-tan, seen
sometimes in larger furniture pieces. Nine out of ten zitan logs
are hollow, making zitan objects carved from a complete piece of
timber such as this one uncommon. A rare piece of Chinese history,
the pot measures 3.5 inches in diameter and 4.25 inches tall and
weighs approximately 1.5 pounds
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