Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Brush Pot with a Man
(China )
This brush pot, representing the Chinese half-stanza "Dreaming, the brush blossoms into flowers," depicts a reclining man who dreams of becoming a scholar in one register; in the other, his dream is retold inside a "dream bubble." He is shown in a scholar's robe and hat, writing with a brush. On his desk are various writing implements: a brush rest, brush pot with two brushes pointed upwards to dry, an inkstone, and an inkstick. The small stick of solid ink is used by grinding it on the inkstone and adding water. The inkstone, inkstick, brush and paper are the four most important writing implements used by East Asian scholars, painters, and calligraphers.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Marquis Sale, Paris, February 1890, lot 606; Henry Walters, Baltimore, February 1890, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2011 | The Art of Writing Instruments from Paris to Persia. |
| 1980-1981 | Masterpieces of Chinese Porcelain. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 2025 | Imperial Chinese Treasures from the Walters Collection. 1991-0. |
Geographies
China (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 5 7/8 x Diam: 8 3/8 in. (14.92 x 21.27 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1890
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
49.1988