Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Brush Washer

Artist Unknown Chinese Artist

Date18th-19th century

Made/manufacturedChina, Asia

MediumCeramic, duan stone

Dimensions1 1/8 x 3 3/8 x 2 1/8 in. (2.9 x 8.6 x 5.4 cm)

ClassificationsFurnishings and Equipment

Credit LineBequest of Dr. David A. Cofrin

Object number2009.48.63

Collections

ASIAN

DescriptionThe shallow, grayish-brown stone naturalistically carved as an irregular oblong section of knotted rootwood, the stone of characteristic deep brownish-purple tone; together with a small spoon, the curved handle terminating in the head of a goose

Duan stone is a highly sought-after type of shale mined at Duanxi in Guangdong province. It was most often, though not exclusively, used for the production of inkstones. It is rare to find a duan stone vessel other than an inkstone, and this unusual example would have been prized for its exceptional craftsmanship and strong sense of naturalism