GREEN, BLACK AND WHITE GLAZED PORCELAIN BRUSH REST
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1662 - 1722)
13.2 cm long, 4.3 cm high
The brush rest is modelled in the form of a crouching chilong, depicted with its head looking back, supported on a leaf-shaped base. The animal is glazed white and partly covered with black enamel. The leaf, including the underside, is applied with a bright green glaze.
Provenance:
Formerly in a private Dutch collection
Exhibited:
Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarden, from 1999 to 2011, Museum no. BP1999-0026
Brush rests of the present type seem to be quite unusual, and this example is particularly well modelled, possibly inspired from bronze chilong-shaped brush rests. The glazed base is a refined feature, distinguishing it from other, more standardized small desk objects, including mountain-shaped brush rests, lotus-shaped water droppers and reticulated brush holders. There is a specific group of porcelain scroll weights with glazed bases, possibly to protect a scroll or a wooden surface. The base of the present brush rest might have had a similar function.