Of cylindrical form, this bitong is finely fashioned from the prized zitan wood, admired for its dense texture and subtle purplish-brown tone. The surface is exquisitely smooth and even, displaying a deep, almost lustrous patina acquired through centuries of careful handling.
A zitan brush pot ‘bitong’ (Qing Dynasty, 18th century)
Description
Dimensions: 16cm high, 16.8cm diameter
Provenance:
A private Scandinavian collection, acquired in the 1980s
Of cylindrical form, this bitong is finely fashioned from the prized zitan wood, admired for its dense texture and subtle purplish-brown tone. The surface is exquisitely smooth and even, displaying a deep, almost lustrous patina acquired through centuries of careful handling.
Minimal ornamentation allows the inherent beauty of the material to take precedence, embodying the scholar’s ideal of quiet elegance and restraint. Zitan of such quality was reserved for the most discerning collectors and imperial ateliers.
