Zitan Brushpot c. 1750 - 1850

This cylindrical brushpot, carved from zitan wood, was made by the renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher Zheng Xie during the Qing dynasty. The piece is decorated with a delicate carving of bamboo, a popular motif in Chinese art symbolizing resilience and purity. Zheng Xie, known for his distinctive brushwork, likely used this brushpot for storing his brushes and ink during his artistic practice. The inscription around the top edge of the brushpot is a poem in Chinese script. This brushpot, a testament to Zheng Xie's artistry and the aesthetic appreciation of natural motifs, exemplifies the refined taste of the Qing period.