Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot.

Lacquered rosewood brush pot with drain hole and plug. Unmarked.

Size: 8 x 8 x 7 3/4 in.

Chinese brush pots, or bitong, are cylindrical containers traditionally used by scholars to hold calligraphy brushes, an essential tool in the literati’s pursuit of painting and writing. Emerging during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and flourishing in the Qing (1644–1911), they were crafted from a variety of materials, including bamboo, porcelain, jade, and precious hardwoods such as zitan and rosewood. Many brush pots were intricately decorated with carved landscapes, figures, or poetic inscriptions, transforming these practical objects into works of art that reflected their owner’s scholarly refinement and taste. Beyond their function, they symbolized intellectual cultivation and were central to the scholar’s studio, embodying the unity of artistry, learning, and daily use.

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