Chinese Brush Pot, S. XIX

Lovely Chinese brush pot, beautiful and antique piece. It is made of hand-carved bamboo and comes from China, having been manufactured in the 19th century. In spite of being more than one hundred years old, the holder is in good condition and shows no broken or stained parts. One of this items most interesting features is that it was made from an only piece of wood that the artisan patiently hollowed out and shaped to create this wonderful pencil holder. The piece is decorated all over its outside surface though most of the carved motives are at the front.The front part bears different scenes, all of them in the middle of a landscape formed by the classic trees and temples usually present in oriental decorations. The carved motives are performed in sunken relief, with a great depth that enhances their beauty. At the top we can see three characters, one of them sitting at a table, while at the bottom there are two different scenes: to the left, four men are playing a board game; to the right, another two rest and talk under a charming temple.All the scenes show male characters dressed in traditional Chinese costumes. The landscape that surrounds them is composed of leafy trees, oriental temples and decorative motives. If we turn the pencil holder we will see that the carved motives are less and less deep, until they become simple lines and eventually disappear. As well as this lovely decoration, the piece is also enhanced by the beautiful original color of the wood and the patina that the time and the use have left on it.This wonderful pencil holder will be the best accessory for any artist, writer or draughtsman. It can also show off its beauty in a good collection of oriental antiques.Measurements: Width: 130 mm. Height: 195 mm.