Of elegant cylindrical form, this bitong is masterfully fashioned from beautifully figured huanghuali, the golden-toned hardwood so esteemed by Ming and early Qing scholars. The wood’s surface shimmers with a warm honey hue, enlivened by intricate ‘ghost-face’ grain patterns that dance across the walls. The interior is smoothly finished, and the exterior has acquired a rich, satin patina from long and careful use.
A huanghuali brush pot ‘bitong’ (Qing Dynasty, 17th–18th century)
Description
Dimensions: 16.5cm high, 16.3cm diameter
Provenance:
A private Scandinavian collection, acquired in the 1980s
Of elegant cylindrical form, this bitong is masterfully fashioned from beautifully figured huanghuali, the golden-toned hardwood so esteemed by Ming and early Qing scholars. The wood’s surface shimmers with a warm honey hue, enlivened by intricate ‘ghost-face’ grain patterns that dance across the walls. The interior is smoothly finished, and the exterior has acquired a rich, satin patina from long and careful use.
Exemplifying both refinement and natural beauty, this bitong reflects the quiet sophistication of the scholar’s desk at the height of Qing dynasty China.
