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Image for Brushwasher in the Form of a Peony
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Brushwasher in the Form of a Peony Thumbnail
Brushwasher in the Form of a Peony Thumbnail

Brushwasher in the Form of a Peony

Chinese (Artist)
16th-17th century
carved jade
(China )

This brush washer was carved in the round, most likely with wooden tools or sandstone (drills, polishers) coated with mineral paste to break away the hard jade. It is in the shape of a peony, known as the "queen of flowers", and as a sign of wealth and distinction. White peopnies symbolize young girls who are wise and beautiful. The brush washer was used to clean paintbrushes and would have been placed on a desk with other writing instruments.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
5/31/1963 Treatment cleaned
6/15/1965 Treatment cleaned
7/7/1971 Treatment cleaned
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Geographies

China (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 3 1/4 × W: 6 3/8 × D: 5 3/4 in. (8.3 × 16.2 × 14.6 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters

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.

42.278

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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