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...

124 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

You can reduce the number of items displayed by entering a keyword that must be included in the description of the item.

OR

You can restrict the number of items to those sold in recent years. Select which years:

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.

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

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

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 heavy Chinese carved timber brush pot featuring dragon,…

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

A group of three brushpots, late 19th/20th century, comprising…

A group of three brushpots, late 19th/20th century, comprising two wood brushpots one carved with a figure seated in a thatched hut in a continuous landscape, another with inscriptions, and a bamboo brushpot carved with a sage, the tallest 16 cm high

Chinese rosewood brush pot 15 cm diameter, 16 cm high

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot: 15cm Diameter, 16cm High

Chinese rosewood brush pot 15 cm diameter, 16 cm high

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

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

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

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 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

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

A large carved wooden 18 'Immortals' brush pot finely and…

Carved 18 'Immortals' Brush Pot in Dark Timber

A large carved wooden 18 'Immortals' brush pot finely and deeply carved in a dark, heavy timber, with an 'Immortals' motif. The figures in various poses under different large trees. 18 x 17 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…

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

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

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

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

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, 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 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

Chinese carved jade brush pot, of handsome proportions,…

Carved Jade Brush Pot with Mountain Scene

Chinese carved jade brush pot, of handsome proportions, decorated with a carved continuous mountain scene, in tones of white and green, on wooden stand, height 9 cm (total)

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

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.

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 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

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…

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

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

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

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 large rosewood brushpot, cylindrical shape with slightly…

Rosewood Brushpot: Large Cylindrical Waisted Design

A large rosewood brushpot, cylindrical shape with slightly waisted walls, height 23 cm, diameter 24.5 cm.

A large rosewood brushpot, cylindrical shape with slightly…

Rosewood Brushpot, 21cm

A large rosewood brushpot, cylindrical shape with slightly waisted walls. Height 21 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 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

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

Chinese late Qing Dynasty jade twin brush pot, carved with…

Qing Dynasty Jade Brush Pot with Dragon and Phoenix

Chinese late Qing Dynasty jade twin brush pot, carved with rampant dragon to one side and phoenix to the other, in tones of white and brown, the whole raised upon a wooden stand, 6.8 cm x 9.5 cm (object). Provenance: Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

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 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

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,…

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 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.

Large Chinese timber brush pot height 22 cm

Chinese Timber Brush Pot - 22cm Height

Large Chinese timber brush pot height 22 cm

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.

Chinese rosewood brush pot, height 16 cm

Chinese Rosewood Brush Pot - 16cm

Chinese rosewood brush pot, height 16 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)

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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 hardwood large brush pot, cylindrical with columns of…

Chinese Hardwood Brush Pot with Calligraphy

A Chinese hardwood large brush pot, cylindrical with columns of incised calligraphy, dark tone. Height 19.2 cm, depth 18.4 cm.

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

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.

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 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 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.

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

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 chestnut-glazed biscuit porcelain brushpot, 20th century, of…

Chestnut Glazed Biscuit Porcelain Brushpot with Prunus Tree Relief

A chestnut-glazed biscuit porcelain brushpot, 20th century, of cylindrical form, the exterior decorated in crisp relief with a gnarled prunus tree, its blossoming branches extending around the sides, all beneath the chestnut coloured glaze, the base…

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

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

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

An exceptional Chinese black lacquer coloured stone and wood…

Chinese Stone & Wood Four Panel Screen with Relief Decorations

An exceptional Chinese black lacquer coloured stone and wood four panel standing screen, entirely decorated in relief in various coloured stones and marbles with various precious objects, vases of various forms, some with floral sprays, raised on stands…

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

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 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

A hardstone inlaid hardwood brushpot Qing dynasty, of…

Hardstone Inlaid Brushpot with Cranes and Prunus Tree

A hardstone inlaid hardwood brushpot Qing dynasty, of cylindrical form, the straight sides inlaid in various hardstones, ivory and mother of pearl with three cranes beneath a blossoming prunus tree growing beside a banana palm and rockwork, a fourth in…

C1920's Chinese ivory brush pot decorated with trees and birds,…

Chinese Ivory Brush Pot with Tree and Bird Motifs

C1920's Chinese ivory brush pot decorated with trees and birds, 13 cm high (including timber base)

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

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…

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

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.

Two various Chinese wooden brush pots. Both of circular design.…

Circular Chinese Wooden Brush Pots

Two various Chinese wooden brush pots. Both of circular design. Provenance: Australian collector.

Chinese carved timber brush pot 13.5 cm high

Carved Chinese Timber Brush Pot

Chinese carved timber brush pot 13.5 cm high

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…

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

Early Chinese carved & reticulated ivory brush pot (missing…

Chinese ivory brush pot with wood stand

Early Chinese carved & reticulated ivory brush pot (missing base) on carved wood stand. Provenance: Estate late Lawrence & Nora (nee Moon) Illingworth - Collected Shanghai c.1920s-30s; thence by descent. Height 25 cm (total). Wt.479g (section)

A hardwood brushpot Bitong Qing dynasty, 19th century of…

Qing Dynasty Hardwood Brushpot

A hardwood brushpot Bitong Qing dynasty, 19th century of slightly waisted cylindrical form 35.7 cm high

Huali wood scholar's brush pot with inlays of semi precious…

Huali Wood Inlaid Brush Pot

Huali wood scholar's brush pot with inlays of semi precious stones and mother of pearl

A Chinese carved 'Zhong Kui' hardwood brush pot, 14 cm high

Chinese Carved Hardwood Brush Pot of Zhong Kui

A Chinese carved 'Zhong Kui' hardwood brush pot, 14 cm high

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;…

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

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

A hardstone inlaid hardwood brushpot, Bitong late Qing dynasty…

Hardstone Inlaid Qing Dynasty Brushpot

A hardstone inlaid hardwood brushpot, Bitong late Qing dynasty of cylindrical form, the sides inlaid in coloured stones and mother-of-pearl with a pair of birds in flight above flowering prunus, and with a two line inscription on the reverse 17.5 cm high

Two Chinese carved wooden Brushpots

Chinese Carved Wooden Brushpots

Two Chinese carved wooden Brushpots

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

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

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