Brush Washer thumbnail 1
Brush Washer thumbnail 2
+2
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Brush Washer

ca. 1680-1780 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This porcelain brush-washer, produced at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China, was made in imitation of ding ware, one of the most important types of ceramics dated to the Song dynasty (960-1279).

The long poem inscribed on the base by the emperor Qianlong (1736-95) adds prestige and importance to the object; it praises the value of pure and ancient things, thus making a subtle reference to the white and refined appearance of ding ware.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Moulded porcelain
Brief description
Porcelain brush-washer with moulded design and inscription, China, Qing dynasty, ca.1680-1780
Physical description
Porcelain brush-washer of square shape, decorated under a clear glaze with a moulded design of fantastic animals emerging from waves and clouds, and with a ru-yi pattern on the rim. A long poem is inscribed on the base.
Dimensions
  • From register (in 5.75) length: 14.6cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
海馬瀛羊舞浪中,扶桑想見湧曦紅。不為玩器為盂洗,淳樸猶余慕古風。 乾隆御題 (From the register: 'Fu-sang is one of the hills in the Taoist island paradise' Inscription on the base)
Translation
Translation from register: 'The sea horses and ocean rams sport in the waves. In fancy we see the red light rising over Fu-sang. This is no mere vessel for ornament; it is a brush washer. The pure and chaste still abound, and the love of the spirit of antiquity. Imperial poem by Qianlong'.
Gallery label
  • Brush-bath Porcelain with moulded decoration Ting type Incised on the base a poem by the Emperor Ch'ien Lung (1736-95) CHINESE (perhaps Kiangsi province) 12th-14th century Eumorfopolous Collection(1958)
  • CHINESE; Sung dynasty (960-1279 A.D.) Ting ware Under the base commendatory verses by the Emperor Ch'ien-Lung Eumorfopolous Collection(pre-1991)
  • Brush washer, moulded porcelain 1680-1780, Qing dynasty This piece, which copies Ding ware, has an inscribed poem on it by the Qianlong emperor. In it he refers indirectly to Ding ware by praising pure, simple things and ancient styles.(June 1991)
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Subjects depicted
Summary
This porcelain brush-washer, produced at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China, was made in imitation of ding ware, one of the most important types of ceramics dated to the Song dynasty (960-1279).

The long poem inscribed on the base by the emperor Qianlong (1736-95) adds prestige and importance to the object; it praises the value of pure and ancient things, thus making a subtle reference to the white and refined appearance of ding ware.
Collection
Accession number
C.44-1935

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 2, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest