Blue and White Brush Pot with Birds and Peonies

$388

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Dimensions

H: 7.75" Dia: 8.0"

Materials

Porcelain

Purchase Quantity

Collection #

TLC029O

Estimated Shipping

$20

Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcelain brush pot beautifully exemplifies this traditional form with the classical artistry of Chinese blue-and-white ceramics. The pot is faced with a quiet vignette of birds among flowering branches of tree peonies, brushed in cobalt blues against a cool white background. Associated with royalty and high honor, peonies are traditional emblems of springtime, love, and affection.

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Blue & White Porcelain

Soon after its development in the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 AD), blue-and-white underglaze porcelain became a favorite of the imperial court. Its broad appeal rapidly extended beyond China’s borders, becoming a lucrative export commodity highly sought after in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Using cobalt imported from Western Asia, ceramic artists ground the mineral into a vibrant blue pigment that was then painted directly on a porcelain base, coated with clear glaze, and fired. This underglaze technique brought with it a shift in focus from the overall shape of a vessel to the skill and artistry traceable in its painted decoration.

Transcending time and taste, blue-and-white porcelain continues to be appreciated around the world for the intricate brushwork and brilliant blue color.