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Square brush holder with flowers and poems
Square brush holder with flowers and poems

Square brush holder with flowers and poems

Place of OriginChina
Date1736-1795
DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911), Reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795)
MaterialsPorcelain with overglaze multicolor decoration
DimensionsH. 3 1/2 in x W. 2 in x D. 2 in, H. 8.9 cm x W. 5.1 cm x D. 5.1 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60P2342
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsCeramics
On View
On view
Location
  • Gallery Location   Gallery 19
MarkingsQianlong mark and underglaze blue six-character mark in three columns
Text Entries
This brush holder is painted with a scene of prunus, bamboo, and rocks on one side and another scene of peony, yellow hibiscus, and rocks on another. The other two sides carry poems describing the paintings inscribed with two Qianlong seal marks. One reads: "The spring rains coat the tender sprouts like cosmetics. Several branches richly overlap in the scarlet sunset. A pair of phoenixes habitually perch in the deep seclusion (attracted by this scene). They fly directly to my place." The other reads: "The gold disk (of the yellow hibiscus) faces toward the sun as if receiving dew. (I feel) sympathy—for whom the flower is so alluring. The flower's distinct shadow moves in the wind. When it blossoms it must be the branch in the south."
Subject
  • poem