Brush (Bi) with Carp and Dragon

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Brush (Bi) with Carp and Dragon

China, Chinese, Middle Ming dynasty, about 1450-1550
Tools and Equipment; brushes
Carved red lacquer on wood core
Height: 10 1/16 in. (27 cm); Diameter: 5/8 in. (1.6 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Maynard N. Levenick (M.80.152.1)
Chinese Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

Tools like this brush belonged to highly educated Chinese scholars, dating from the 15th to the early 20th centuries.
...
Tools like this brush belonged to highly educated Chinese scholars, dating from the 15th to the early 20th centuries.

The scholar-official held an elite position in the traditional social hierarchy of China. He (all were men) would have studied the classics, passed rigorous government exams, and devoted his life to government service and Confucian ideals. He was expected to be well-read and knowledgeable, but also artistic and spiritual, capable of providing moral guidance to the people through literature and the arts.

The brush was used for writing essays on moral issues as well as poetry and painting. The video below shows a demonstration of a traditional technique for grinding ink to be used with a brush like this one.

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Bibliography

  • Kuwayama, George.  Far Eastern Lacquers.  Los Angeles:  Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1978.