Chinese scholar's brush pots, also known as brush holders, are decorative containers used to hold writing brushes. They have a long history in Chinese art and culture, dating back to the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD).

The earliest brush pots were made of jade or other precious materials, and were typically used by members of the imperial court or wealthy scholars. During the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD), brush pots became more widely used by scholars and artists, and were often made of porcelain, lacquer, or wood.

In the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the art of brush pot making reached its peak, with many elaborate and ornate examples being produced. These brush pots were often decorated with intricate designs, including landscapes, figures, and calligraphy.

During the Qing dynasty (1644-1912 AD), brush pots continued to be produced, but the style became more restrained and refined. Qing dynasty brush more...

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A carved timber brushpot, later Qing Dynasty, 19th century, the…

Carved Qing Dynasty Timber Brushpot

A carved timber brushpot, later Qing Dynasty, 19th century, the hexagonal pot, each facet well carved with scrolls, auspicious symbols and vases of flowers upon an extended stepped base with incised and low relief patterns; bearing a jian ding wax seal…

A Chinese hardwood brush pot modern, 13 cm high

Modern Chinese Hardwood Brush Pot - 13 cm High

A Chinese hardwood brush pot modern, 13 cm high

Chinese carved timber brush pot 13.5 cm high

Carved Chinese Timber Brush Pot

Chinese carved timber brush pot 13.5 cm high

Chinese black wood brush pot 16.5 cm high

Chinese Black Wood Brush Pot - 16.5cm

Chinese black wood brush pot 16.5 cm high

A Chinese wood carved brush pot decorated with ducks on pond…

Chinese Wood Carved Duck Brush Pot

A Chinese wood carved brush pot decorated with ducks on pond motifs 15 cm high

Chinese carved wood brush pot bird and blossom decorated,…

Carved Wood Brush Pot with Bird and Blossom Decoration

Chinese carved wood brush pot bird and blossom decorated, height 15 cm approx.

Pair Chinese chicken wing wood brush pots. Height 8.5 cm

Chinese Chicken Wing Brush Pots - Pair

Pair Chinese chicken wing wood brush pots. Height 8.5 cm

An Abalone shell veneer timber brush pot, a hexagonal pot…

Abalone Shell Veneer Brush Pot with Inlayed Panels

An Abalone shell veneer timber brush pot, a hexagonal pot raised on small feet, with inlaid abalone panels to each face, height 14.5 cm

Chinese rosewood tree form brushpot, measures 10 cm high, 10 cm…

Chinese Rosewood Tree Brushpot (10cm)

Chinese rosewood tree form brushpot, measures 10 cm high, 10 cm wide

Chinese timber brushpot, approximately 15 cm high

Chinese Timber Brushpot: 15cm High

Chinese timber brushpot, approximately 15 cm high

Chinese carved rosewood brush pot 10.5 cm diameter, 15 cm high

Chinese Carved Rosewood Brush Pot: 10.5cm Diameter, 15cm High

Chinese carved rosewood brush pot 10.5 cm diameter, 15 cm high

Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of organic form in the form of…

Organic Tree-Shaped Chinese Brush Pot

Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of organic form in the form of a tree, height 12 cm

Chinese well carved hard wood brush pot. 15 cm high

Chinese Hardwood Carved Brush Pot, 15cm Height

Chinese well carved hard wood brush pot. 15 cm high

Chinese rosewood brush pot, height 16 cm

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot - 16cm

Chinese rosewood brush pot, height 16 cm

Two Chinese carved wooden Brushpots

Chinese Carved Wooden Brushpots

Two Chinese carved wooden Brushpots

Chinese carved wood brushpot, carved figures in court…

Chinese Court Carved Wood Brushpot

Chinese carved wood brushpot, carved figures in court decoration. Character marks to side. Height 17 cm

Chinese Brush pot, made from chickenwing wood. 14 cm high

Chickenwing Wood Chinese Brush Pot

Chinese Brush pot, made from chickenwing wood. 14 cm high

Large Chinese carved timber brush pot 26 cm high approx.

Chinese Carved Timber Brush Pot - 26cm

Large Chinese carved timber brush pot 26 cm high approx.

Chinese yellow hardwood brush pot. Height 21 cm

Chinese Yellow Hardwood Brush Pot - 21cm Height

Chinese yellow hardwood brush pot. Height 21 cm

A Chinese brush pot, bamboo and rosewood, early 20th century,…

Early 20th Century Chinese Bamboo and Rosewood Brush Pot

A Chinese brush pot, bamboo and rosewood, early 20th century, 13 cm high

A Chinese hardwood brush pot, of plain slightly waited form 19…

Chinese hardwood brush pot, plain form

A Chinese hardwood brush pot, of plain slightly waited form 19 cm high

Chinese water lily brush pot, on timber stand, 13 cm high (pot)…

Chinese Water Lily Brush Pot on Timber Stand

Chinese water lily brush pot, on timber stand, 13 cm high (pot) approx.

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with everted rim and…

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot, Everted Rim, Tapering Walls

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with everted rim and slightly tapering walls. Diameter 13.5 cm, height 16.5 cm.

Chinese wooden brush pot, in the natural form, with lacquer…

Natural Lacquered Chinese Brush Pot - 16cm

Chinese wooden brush pot, in the natural form, with lacquer finish, height 16 cm

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, 15 cm x 15.5 cm

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot - 15 cm x 15.5 cm

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, 15 cm x 15.5 cm

Chinese hexagonal wooden brush pot. Use patina. Provenance:…

Chinese Wooden Brush Pot with Patina

Chinese hexagonal wooden brush pot. Use patina. Provenance: Australian collector. Height 18 cm. Diameter 18 cm

Japanese carved wood brush pot natural wood decoration in…

Japanese Relief Wood Brush Pot, 19cm Height

Japanese carved wood brush pot natural wood decoration in relief, height 19 cm

A Chinese bamboo brush pot, the rectangular brush pot with a…

Chinese Bamboo Brush Pot with Landscape Carvings

A Chinese bamboo brush pot, the rectangular brush pot with a shaped extended rim and base in hardwood and raised on small feet, each face relief carved with traditional landscape and pavilion settings and populated with small figures. Height 16.5 cm.…

Two Chinese wooden Brushpots. Each carved with scholars engaged…

Chinese Scholarly Pursuits Wooden Brushpots

Two Chinese wooden Brushpots. Each carved with scholars engaged in leisurely pursuits, including games of 'Go' and drinking tea in bamboo groves and under pine trees, each with a tripod base, 18.5 cm high

An antique Chinese figured hardwood brush pot, probably 19th…

Antique Chinese Hardwood Brush Pot, 19th Century

An antique Chinese figured hardwood brush pot, probably 19th century, slightly-waisted, pairs of incised lines to the rim and around the waist and one at the foot. Height 9 cm. Diameter 6 cm

A hardwood brush pot, emulating a gnarled tree trunk, in dark…

Gnarled Rosewood Brush Pot

A hardwood brush pot, emulating a gnarled tree trunk, in dark heavy close grain wood, probably rosewood, height 17 cm

A Chinese brush pot with central removable Bung, with a concave…

Red Wood Brush Pot with Removable Bung

A Chinese brush pot with central removable Bung, with a concave body, the red wood with dark blemish under a clear lacquer finish. Height 14, D 13.8 cm

Oriental hard wood brush pot 18 cm diameter, 17.5 cm high

Oriental Hardwood Brush Pot - 18 cm Diameter

Oriental hard wood brush pot 18 cm diameter, 17.5 cm high

A Chinese 'Wood grain' glazed porcelain brush pot, 20th century,…

Chinese Wood Grain Glazed Porcelain Brush Pot

A Chinese 'Wood grain' glazed porcelain brush pot, 20th century, the quatrefoil shaped stand raised on small feet, decorated with a striking red brown wood grain glaze further decorated with a gold and black dragon, green glazed to the interior, with a…

An antique Oriental scholar's rock brush pot. Utilising the…

Oriental Scholar's Rock Brush Pot

An antique Oriental scholar's rock brush pot. Utilising the natural inflections of the pale timber and carved to depict a hollowed, gnarled and knotted trunk with provision for brushes, with intricate pierced carving to the sides of flowering prunus and…

A Chinese finely carved wood brush pot, the two sinuous dragons…

Dragon Carved Wood Brush Pot

A Chinese finely carved wood brush pot, the two sinuous dragons fighting over the mystic pearl upon a finely detailed cloud ground, square scroll borders. Diameter 94, height 12.2 cm, some minor cracking.

A Chinese dark rosewood brush pot, cylindrical shape, the walls…

Chinese Dark Rosewood Twig Brush Pot

A Chinese dark rosewood brush pot, cylindrical shape, the walls with multiple protrusions from twig bases, Height 16 cm

Large Chinese timber brush pot height 22 cm

Chinese Timber Brush Pot - 22cm Height

Large Chinese timber brush pot height 22 cm

Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of cylindrical form, carved…

Dragon Carved Wooden Brush Pot

Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of cylindrical form, carved with panels of rampant dragons, height 21 cm

A timber brush pot with plug 13.5 cm high

Timber Brush Pot with Plug - 13.5cm

A timber brush pot with plug 13.5 cm high

A Chinese heavy gauge timber brush pot featuring dragons,…

Chinese Dragon Timber Brush Pot: 15cm Height, 14cm Diameter

A Chinese heavy gauge timber brush pot featuring dragons, height 15 cm, diameter 14 cm

A Chinese hongmu timber brush pot, cylindrical shape with…

Chinese Hongmu Timber Brush Pot, 13.5 cm Height

A Chinese hongmu timber brush pot, cylindrical shape with slightly waisted walls. Height 13.5 cm

Carved timber Buddah and carved deity brush pot 28.5 cm high…

Carved Deity Brush Pot and Buddha Statue

Carved timber Buddah and carved deity brush pot 28.5 cm high (tallest)

A Chinese carved rosewood brush pot, 20th century the brush pot…

Carved Rosewood Chinese Brush Pot

A Chinese carved rosewood brush pot, 20th century the brush pot carved in barbed-foliate section, the wood of rich deep brownish red colour, with relief decorations to the sides. Height 16.5 cm, length 14.5 cm, width 14.5 cm

A heavy carved Chinese hardwood brush pot, height 15 cm

15 cm Chinese Hardwood Carved Brush Pot

A heavy carved Chinese hardwood brush pot, height 15 cm

A large Chinese rosewood brushpot, cylindrical with slightly…

Chinese Rosewood Brushpot, Large and Cylindrical

A large Chinese rosewood brushpot, cylindrical with slightly tapering walls. Diameter 21 cm, height 20.5 cm

Two similar Chinese wooden brush pots. Both of rustic design.…

Pair of Rustic Chinese Wooden Brush Pots

Two similar Chinese wooden brush pots. Both of rustic design. Small losses to 1. Provenance: Australian collector.

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with slightly…

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot, 16.5 cm Height

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with slightly tapering walls, height 16.5 cm.

A burl wood brush pot. naturalistically formed, 23 cm high

Burl Wood Brush Pot: Naturalistic Form, 23cm High

A burl wood brush pot. naturalistically formed, 23 cm high

A Chinese carved ivory brush pot, with pierced walls and relief…

Dragon Carved Ivory Brush Pot on Stand

A Chinese carved ivory brush pot, with pierced walls and relief carving of sinuous dragons, on wooden stand, height 13 cm.

Antique Chinese wood brush pot crack to rim, and some small…

19th Century Chinese Wood Brush Pot with Damage

Antique Chinese wood brush pot crack to rim, and some small losses to base, circa 19th century, height 17 cm

A Chinese bronze brushpot stamp to base, wooden stand 5 cm high.…

Chinese Bronze Brushpot with Wooden Stand

A Chinese bronze brushpot stamp to base, wooden stand 5 cm high. 7 cm wide

Chinese hardwood brush pot, of slightly tapering cylindrical…

Chinese Hardwood Brush Pot, Dark Tones, 17 cm

Chinese hardwood brush pot, of slightly tapering cylindrical form, in dark tones, height 17 cm and diameter 17.5 cm

A Chinese hardwood brushpot, a large brushpot of slightly…

Chinese Hardwood Brushpot, 24 cm Height

A Chinese hardwood brushpot, a large brushpot of slightly waisted form in well figured mid toned timber, height 24 cm, diameter 23 cm

A Chinese Rootwood brush pot, Bitong, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th…

Qing Dynasty Rootwood Brush Pot

A Chinese Rootwood brush pot, Bitong, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th century, the gnarled wood is enhanced by the natural irregularities, the base of the bitong is closed by the node, acquired in Tianjian in early 1990s, height 20 cm

A Chinese bamboo brushpot, late Qing Dynasty, Created using a…

Late Qing Dynasty Chinese Bamboo Brushpot with Hardwood Base

A Chinese bamboo brushpot, late Qing Dynasty, Created using a bamboo section of unusual form, with a rich red-brown patina. The base inset with hardwood, 13.5 cm high

Chinese carved wood brush pot, carved boatman and figures…

Carved Wood Brush Pot with Boatman and Forest Scene

Chinese carved wood brush pot, carved boatman and figures decoration in forest scene, height 17 cm

An unusual Chinese metal mounted rosewood brushpot, Qing…

Qing Dynasty Rosewood Brushpot with Metal Mounts

An unusual Chinese metal mounted rosewood brushpot, Qing Dynasty, probably 19th century, with good patination and well carved from a single piece of timber, the brushpot of squared tapering form with a folded metal rim, each facet with incised script;…

A possibly Zi tan wood carved Chinese brush pot, height 16 cm,…

Zi Tan Wood Carved Chinese Brush Pot

A possibly Zi tan wood carved Chinese brush pot, height 16 cm, diameter 16 cm

A finely carved bamboo brushpot, 19th century of cylindrical…

19th Century Carved Bamboo Brushpot with Scholarly Scenes

A finely carved bamboo brushpot, 19th century of cylindrical section on five short bracket feet, carved around the exterior with scholars and their attendants at various leisurely pursuits, all beside pine, bamboo and plantain set within rockwork, the…

A hardwood brush pot, a near black close grain timber pot of…

Hardwood Quatrefoil Brush Pot

A hardwood brush pot, a near black close grain timber pot of straight-sided quatrefoil shape with a flattened rim and banded base, height 16 cm, length 15 cm, width 13.5 cm

Antique Chinese rosewood hexagonal brush pot inlaid with mother…

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Antique Chinese rosewood hexagonal brush pot inlaid with mother of pearl of flowers and mounted with copper corners measures: 18 cm high

A Chinese carved bamboo brush pot, carved with figures in…

Chinese Carved Bamboo Brush Pot with Landscape and Figures

A Chinese carved bamboo brush pot, carved with figures in landscape dominated by a fur tree, fitted dark wood top rim and base with three short feet. Height 12.5 cm.

A hongmu wood brush pot, of cylindrical shape with slightly…

Hongmu Wood Brush Pot with Removable Insert

A hongmu wood brush pot, of cylindrical shape with slightly concave wall, displaying good figured grain, a removable insert to the centre of the base. Diameter 25 cm, height 23.5 cm.

Chinese rosewood root brush pot, great patina, approx 12 cm high

Chinese Rosewood Root Brush Pot - 12cm Height

Chinese rosewood root brush pot, great patina, approx 12 cm high

A pair of Japanese pierced ivory brush pots, with carved wooden…

Japanese Ivory Brush Pots with Carved Stands

A pair of Japanese pierced ivory brush pots, with carved wooden stands, 10 cm high

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with slightly…

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot, 18 cm Diameter and Height

A Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with slightly tapering walls. Diameter 18 cm, height 18 cm.

A hardwood brushpot, Qing dynasty/20th century, of slightly…

A hardwood brushpot, Qing dynasty/20th century, of slightly waisted cylindrical form, 23.5 cm high

A burlwood brushpot, Qing dynasty/20th century, carved as a…

A burlwood brushpot, Qing dynasty/20th century, carved as a cylindrical section with irregular protrusions and crevices on the exterior, 31 cm high

A large Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with slightly…

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot, 25.5 cm Diameter

A large Chinese rosewood brush pot, cylindrical with slightly tapering walls, diameter 25.5 cm, height 26.5 cm.

A large Chinese carved rosewood brush pot, 20th century, the…

A large Chinese carved rosewood brush pot, 20th century, the substantial pot of cylindrical form, relief carved with two figural and floral panels with Chinese key borders, between a smaller panel with auspicious symbols, bat, clouds and peaches, with…

Chinese carved wood brush pot with removable stopper to base,…

Chinese carved wood brush pot with removable stopper to base, height 15 cm; diameter 14 cm.

Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of cylindrical form, carved…

Carved Chinese Brush Pot with Immortal Landscape Scene

Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of cylindrical form, carved with a continuous scene of immortals within a landscape, height 19.5 cm, diameter 19.5 cm

Chinese hardwood brush pot, approx 21 cm high and 21 cm dia

Chinese Hardwood Brush Pot - 21 cm

Chinese hardwood brush pot, approx 21 cm high and 21 cm dia

A heavy Chinese carved timber brush pot featuring dragon,…

A heavy Chinese carved timber brush pot featuring dragon, height 18 cm

A Chinese hexagonal shape rosewood brush pot. The rosewood…

Rosewood Hexagonal Brush Pot

A Chinese hexagonal shape rosewood brush pot. The rosewood grows very slowly. It takes hundreds of years to become useful material. It is therefore difficult to find a relatively whole piece of material for crafting in the rosewood. As the saying goes,…

Chinese carved wood brush pot cover, height 14 cm; diameter 12.…

Chinese Carved Wood Brush Pot Cover

Chinese carved wood brush pot cover, height 14 cm; diameter 12.5 cm

Carved Chinese dark hardwood brush pot, high relief carving…

Carved Chinese dark hardwood brush pot, high relief carving depicts figures in a landscape, some dining and others carrying objects. Height 18 cm / 16 cm diameter

Chinese wooden brush pot, of cylindrical form, incised with two…

Chinese Incised Wooden Brush Pot with Scholars and Mountains

Chinese wooden brush pot, of cylindrical form, incised with two scholars in a mountain setting, with calligraphy and seal marks, a/f (base missing), height 16 cm

Chinese carved bamboo brush pot, of cylindrical form, the…

Carved Chinese Bamboo Brush Pot with Mountain Landscape Scene

Chinese carved bamboo brush pot, of cylindrical form, the exterior well carved in high relief depicting a mountainous landscape scene with pine trees, pagoda and two figures crossing bridge, with two character mark towards the base, a/f (splitting to…

Chinese wooden brush pot, of plain rounded form, height 16.5 cm…

Chinese Wooden Brush Pot, 16.5cm Height

Chinese wooden brush pot, of plain rounded form, height 16.5 cm and diameter 17 cm

An antique polychrome brush pot, Qing Dynasty, probably…

Qing Dynasty Polychrome Brush Pot with Deity Figure

An antique polychrome brush pot, Qing Dynasty, probably Daoguang period, 1821-1850, with wooden stand, in a famille rose palette and decorated with a deity figure upon a lotus, throne flanked by attendants and warriors gazing upon four figures, including,…

A pair of Japanese wood brush pots by Arai, 19th/20th century,…

Japanese Inlaid Wood Brush Pots by Arai, 19th/20th Century

A pair of Japanese wood brush pots by Arai, 19th/20th century, each of cylindrical form set on a carved wood base, carved in relief with a warrior attacking a wild animal embellished with ivory, mother of pearl and other inlays, inscribed on a rectangular…

Chinese carved ivory tusk brushpot, circa 1900, carved with a…

Mountainous Leisure: Chinese Ivory Brushpot

Chinese carved ivory tusk brushpot, circa 1900, carved with a continuous scene of figures at leisure on a mountainous landscape, apocryphal Qianlong seal mark to the base, wood stand. Height 11.5 cm

Very heavy Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of organic form,…

Very heavy Chinese carved wooden brush pot, of organic form, carved in high relief with two seated figures under a pine tree and one figure feeding two chickens, height 27 cm and diameter 22 cm, total weight 8.5kg

A Chinese waisted hardwood brushpot; Qing Dynasty (1644-1912),…

Qing Dynasty Hardwood Brushpot

A Chinese waisted hardwood brushpot; Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), circa 18th century; of cylindrical form, gently waisted, exhibiting a fine grain with some knots. 14.75 cm high, 12.5 cm diameter

Chinese carved ivory brush pot, decorated continuously with…

Dragon and Clouds Ivory Brush Pot with Wooden Stand

Chinese carved ivory brush pot, decorated continuously with dragons and stylised clouds, mounted in a carved wooden stand, overall height 18.5 cm

A mother of pearl inlaid wooden brush pot, depicting branches…

Mother of Pearl Inlaid Wooden Brush Pot with Hardstone Detailing

A mother of pearl inlaid wooden brush pot, depicting branches of magnolia and other flowers amidst rockwork, with varying colours of hardstone including lapis lazuli detailing the slightly waisted sides of the pot, 10.5 cm high. Provenance: Purchased…

A Chinese wooden brush pot carved with figure and pin tree (Gu…

Chinese Wooden Brush Pot with Figure and Pin Tree Carvings

A Chinese wooden brush pot carved with figure and pin tree (Gu Zongyu marked), height 15.5 cm, depth 13 cm

Two Chinese ivory brush pots, 20th century, each carved on the…

Dragon Ivory Brush Pots with Stands

Two Chinese ivory brush pots, 20th century, each carved on the exterior with dragons chasing flaming pearls in relief, wood stands, 11 cm and 12.5 cm high

A fine bamboo section carved brush pot, extensive landscape…

Bamboo Carved Brush Pot with Landscape Scene

A fine bamboo section carved brush pot, extensive landscape scene with buildings and figures, rosewood top rim and base, rounded square form, three rows of calligraphic signature. Height 12.5 cm.

Chinese hardwood brush pot modelled as a Gnarled tree stump…

Chinese Stump Brush Pot - 19cm Height

Chinese hardwood brush pot modelled as a Gnarled tree stump height 19 cm

Chinese carved wood writing set comprising two rulers, brush…

Chinese Carved Wood Writing Set with Fitted Box

Chinese carved wood writing set comprising two rulers, brush pot and water pot, in fitted box (4)

A Chinese inscribed bamboo brushpot, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912),…

Chinese Seal Script Bamboo Brushpot, Qing Dynasty

A Chinese inscribed bamboo brushpot, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), circa 19th century, relief carved with characters in seal script to one side, to the other with a tree, mounted on a hardwood base. Signed and sealed., 19.5 cm high, 8.5 cm wide.

A large Chinese hardwood brush pot, plain cylindrical form. 32…

Chinese Hardwood Brush Pot, Cylindrical Form

A large Chinese hardwood brush pot, plain cylindrical form. 32 cm x 27 cm.