Brushpot 1796 - 1820

This brushpot was crafted by Chih Ting, and is currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Brushpots are utilitarian objects with a decorative flair, and the image here depicts a very traditional appreciation for nature. The image etched into the pot seems to be of a crane standing in a landscape. Cranes embody longevity and a connection to the divine in many East Asian cultures, and stand here to represent a broader cultural appreciation for the harmony between humanity and nature. The brushpot is made of a neutral-colored material, ivory, with a relatively simple black ink drawing etched onto its surface. The artist emphasizes the personal connection one can have with the natural world through the seemingly innocuous image of a brushpot. The integration of nature into daily life suggests a deeper philosophical or spiritual connection between people, the divine, and the earth.